Depok, 27 May 2025 — Can economic influence outweigh historical tension and political mistrust? This was the central question posed at the latest Monthly IR Discussion, held by the Department of International Relations, FISIP Universitas Indonesia, featuring an insightful presentation by Dr. Chun-Yi Lee, Associate Professor at the School of Politics and International Relations and Director of the Taiwan Research Hub, University of Nottingham.
Dr. Lee opened her presentation by introducing the University of Nottingham as one of the United Kingdom’s leading research institutions, known for its global academic outlook and interdisciplinary expertise—particularly in East Asian studies. The Taiwan Research Hub, which she leads, focuses on analyzing Taiwan’s strategic role in regional and international affairs, with a strong emphasis on cross-Strait relations.
The discussion, titled “Can Money Buy People’s Hearts and Minds? Review of Cross-Strait Economic and Security Issues”, delved into the intricate and evolving relationship between Taiwan and China. Dr. Lee examined how economic incentives and investment flows between the two sides have long been used as tools for influence—sometimes even as substitutes for political dialogue.
She outlined several key reasons why Taiwanese businesses have historically invested in China, including access to cheap labor (though no longer as cheap), abundant natural resources, and favorable government policies. Most importantly, she emphasized that such investments were and still are driven by market principles, not necessarily by shared political visions.
The audience engaged in a lively discussion that questioned whether economic ties can genuinely bridge deep-rooted political divides. Participants were particularly interested in how China’s economic strategies are perceived by the Taiwanese public and whether such tactics can shift sentiments in the context of increasing security tensions.
Held at the HI UI Meeting Room, 2nd Floor of Gedung Nusantara 2, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, this session marked another step in IR UI’s commitment to fostering critical dialogue on global issues bringing together local and international perspectives on one of Asia’s most pressing geopolitical challenges.