Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
As China steps up efforts to isolate Taiwan diplomatically, two small nations —Eswatini and Palau — continue to stand firmly by Taipei. While Beijing often relies on economic incentives and political pressure to win diplomatic recognition, Taiwan has pursued a different approach centered on long-term partnerships, local capacity building and sustainable development. From supporting women entrepreneurs in Eswatini to strengthening agriculture, fisheries and renewable energy in Palau, Taiwan’s cooperation has focused on helping communities build resilience rather than dependence. What makes the "Taiwan model" of development different? And why have countries like Eswatini and Palau continued to choose Taiwan despite growing pressure from Beijing? In this episode, we explore the foundations of these enduring partnerships and what they reveal about Taiwan’s role in international development.
*Recorded on June 30, 2026 at 10:45am Taiwan Standard Time
Host: Wen-Ti Sung
Producer: Miguel Yang
Our guests:
Manqoba Khumalo
- Eswatini Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade
Steven Victor
- Palauan Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment
Peifen Hsieh
- Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) Deputy Secretary General
Chapters:
00:00:00 – Eswatini, Palau’s Strong Taiwan Ties
00:01:16 – TaiwanICDF’s Sustainable Foreign Aid
00:07:40 – Eswatini Is Key Ally, Market Gateway
00:12:50 – Taiwan, Palau Boost Economic Resiliency
00:16:00 – What Makes ‘Taiwan Model’ Different?
00:19:44 – Palau, Taiwan Emerge as Climate Leaders
#Taiwan #Eswatini #Palau #TaiwanICDF #TaiwanModel #ForeignAid #ClimateAction #Sustainability #EconomicResiliency #LaiChingTe #Geopolitics #IndoPacific #Allies #GlobalCooperation #InternationalRelations #ClimateLeaders #SustainableDevelopment #EconomicPartnership #ChinaPressure #SoftPower #TaiwanCanHelp #GlobalSouth #PacificIslands #AfricaDiplomacy #CrossStraitGeopolitics #StrategicAlliances #ForeignPolicy #EconomicTies #InternationalDevelopment #GlobalAid #TradeGateways #AfricaTrade #PacificPartnership #DemocraticAllies #ResilientEconomy #GreenDevelopment #EcoDiplomacy #GlobalSecurity #BilateralTies #TaiwanDiplomacy #AidNotLoans #DemocraticResilience #ClimateSolutions #ClimateChange #InternationalCooperation #GlobalImpact #GlobalPartnership #StrategicPartnership #EconomicGrowth #GeopoliticalStrategy #GlobalAllies #DevelopmentAid #AsiaPacific #SecurityCooperation #TaiwanPlus #TaiwanTalks
As China steps up efforts to isolate Taiwan diplomatically, two small nations —Eswatini and Palau — continue to stand firmly by Taipei. While Beijing often relies on economic incentives and political pressure to win diplomatic recognition, Taiwan has pursued a different approach centered on long-term partnerships, local capacity building and sustainable development. From supporting women entrepreneurs in Eswatini to strengthening agriculture, fisheries and renewable energy in Palau, Taiwan’s cooperation has focused on helping communities build resilience rather than dependence. What makes the "Taiwan model" of development different? And why have countries like Eswatini and Palau continued to choose Taiwan despite growing pressure from Beijing? In this episode, we explore the foundations of these enduring partnerships and what they reveal about Taiwan’s role in international development.
*Recorded on June 30, 2026 at 10:45am Taiwan Standard Time
Host: Wen-Ti Sung
Producer: Miguel Yang
Our guests:
Manqoba Khumalo
- Eswatini Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade
Steven Victor
- Palauan Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment
Peifen Hsieh
- Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) Deputy Secretary General
Chapters:
00:00:00 – Eswatini, Palau’s Strong Taiwan Ties
00:01:16 – TaiwanICDF’s Sustainable Foreign Aid
00:07:40 – Eswatini Is Key Ally, Market Gateway
00:12:50 – Taiwan, Palau Boost Economic Resiliency
00:16:00 – What Makes ‘Taiwan Model’ Different?
00:19:44 – Palau, Taiwan Emerge as Climate Leaders
#Taiwan #Eswatini #Palau #TaiwanICDF #TaiwanModel #ForeignAid #ClimateAction #Sustainability #EconomicResiliency #LaiChingTe #Geopolitics #IndoPacific #Allies #GlobalCooperation #InternationalRelations #ClimateLeaders #SustainableDevelopment #EconomicPartnership #ChinaPressure #SoftPower #TaiwanCanHelp #GlobalSouth #PacificIslands #AfricaDiplomacy #CrossStraitGeopolitics #StrategicAlliances #ForeignPolicy #EconomicTies #InternationalDevelopment #GlobalAid #TradeGateways #AfricaTrade #PacificPartnership #DemocraticAllies #ResilientEconomy #GreenDevelopment #EcoDiplomacy #GlobalSecurity #BilateralTies #TaiwanDiplomacy #AidNotLoans #DemocraticResilience #ClimateSolutions #ClimateChange #InternationalCooperation #GlobalImpact #GlobalPartnership #StrategicPartnership #EconomicGrowth #GeopoliticalStrategy #GlobalAllies #DevelopmentAid #AsiaPacific #SecurityCooperation #TaiwanPlus #TaiwanTalks
