{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.021712158808933003, 'fraction_numerical': 0.004962779156327543, 'mean_word_length': 5.227799227799228, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Taiwan–Myanmar Relations within the Framework of the New Southbound Policy

This article combines the study of Taiwan's New Southbound Policy, a multifaceted foreign policy focused on building up ties with countries in Southeast Asia and beyond, with a case study of Taiwan-Myanmar relations from a perspective of political relations, economic cooperation and Taiwan's (un)recognizability in Myanmar (Taiwan's soft power in Myanmar). The first part of the paper lays out a comparison of the present policy, introduced in 2016, with the southbound policies of the previous Taiwanese administrations, and provides a brief analysis of why President Tsai Ing-wen's policy has the potential to enhance Taiwan's soft power and increase the island's presence in Southeast Asia. With the ongoing trade war between the United States and China, investment relocation from China is expected to take place more than ever. The second part of the paper provides a comprehensive description of the Taiwan-Myanmar relations after Myanmar's state-led transformation and opening up to the world in 2011, and explains the main aspects and determinants of the relationship between two countries that share a commonality in the form of a neighboring potential hegemon they both wish to balance against. Myanmar is developing at its own pace, and therefore, it requires patience for Taiwan's efforts to invest in the country and create social ties within to come to fruition. In the meantime, Taiwan has to work hard on building its international image and promoting its unique status as the world's only culturally Chinese democracy.