In a whirlwind of diplomatic activity and political debate, Taiwan has found itself at the center of global attention this November, as its foreign policy choices, international outreach, and even the rumors swirling around its leaders have sparked headlines and heated discussions from Taipei to Tegucigalpa, Brussels to Beijing.
On November 12, 2025, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-Lung made it clear that the island is intent on deepening its ties with Israel, despite the controversy that continues to surround Israel’s war in Gaza. According to the Associated Press, Lin defended the move by pointing to Israel’s unique support for Taiwan, especially in the context of the Middle East. Earlier in 2025, 72 members of the Israeli parliament signed a declaration backing Taiwan’s inclusion in key international organizations—a gesture Lin described as unmatched by other countries in the region.
“Taiwan will be friendly to countries that are friendly to us,” Lin told reporters, emphasizing the principle that guides the island’s foreign policy. He also pointed out that while Taiwan has faced criticism for its plan to donate to a medical center in an Israeli settlement in the West Bank—a territory the International Court of Justice has ruled as being under illegal occupation—Taipei’s focus remains on humanitarian support. “In fact, we provide a lot of humanitarian aid to both sides, including the Gaza Strip and Palestine,” Lin said, reiterating Taiwan’s efforts to remain above the fray of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Lin did not directly confirm whether Taiwan had abandoned its controversial donation plan, but he was unequivocal about one thing: the importance of aligning national interests with human rights. He also dismissed the notion that Taiwan should be overly anxious about being used as a bargaining chip in U.S.-China relations. As reported by The Straits Times, Lin remarked, “Trump is said to be a good dealmaker and he hopes to make a good deal. But I believe sacrificing Taiwan’s interests will not bring long-term benefits to the US. That is something that we can be quite confident about.”
Lin’s comments come at a time when Taiwan is actively seeking to build bridges beyond its traditional alliances. On November 7, 2025, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim made history by delivering a speech at the European Parliament—the first such address by a senior Taiwanese official. During her remarks, Hsiao urged the European Union to strengthen security and trade ties with Taiwan, citing shared democratic values and the mounting threats posed by China. Lin accompanied Hsiao on this trip, which also included stops in the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Italy, and Austria, as Taiwan aims to diversify its diplomatic portfolio amid rising tensions with Beijing.
The outreach to Europe is not without its challenges. China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has threatened to use force to assert control, issued a sharp rebuke after Hsiao’s speech. Beijing accused the European Parliament of undermining political trust between China and the EU, according to AFP. The Chinese government has repeatedly criticized Taiwanese leaders for their overseas trips, including former President Tsai Ing-wen’s speech in Berlin on November 10, 2025, where she emphasized the need for joint efforts to ensure regional stability and global security.
Back in Taiwan, the government has also had to contend with a surge of misinformation. Following Hsiao’s European appearance, social media posts alleged that Taiwan had donated eight billion euros to the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), the organization that hosted her. These claims, which cited a fictitious “France’s BBC” as their source, were quickly debunked by AFP and other fact-checkers. Taiwan’s presidential office labeled the rumor “malicious” and confirmed that police were investigating the matter. IPAC’s Executive Director Luke de Pulford told AFP the allegation was “false and defamatory,” clarifying that the group operates on a limited budget and does not accept state funding. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also confirmed there was no record of any donation to IPAC, though it does maintain transparency regarding humanitarian aid to countries such as Ukraine and Turkey.
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s diplomatic maneuvering is being closely watched in other parts of the world, particularly in Central America. In Honduras, the upcoming presidential election has seen the issue of diplomatic recognition become a major fault line. As reported by Reuters, the current Honduran government severed ties with Taiwan in 2023, switching recognition to Beijing. However, opposition candidates Salvador Nasralla and Nasry Asfura have publicly supported the idea of restoring relations with Taipei, while another candidate, Rixi Moncada, advocates for deepening ties with China. The debate reflects the broader geopolitical contest between Beijing and Taipei for international allies, especially in regions where diplomatic recognition can shift with the winds of domestic politics.
Amid these global developments, the importance of Taiwan-U.S. relations remains a constant theme. On November 13, 2025, Cheng Li-wun, Chairperson of Taiwan’s opposition Kuomintang (KMT), met with Raymond Greene, Director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), to underscore the critical role of U.S.-Taiwan ties in maintaining regional peace and stability. According to Taiwan’s Central News Agency, Cheng stressed that “only through steady communication and mutual trust can the two sides jointly uphold regional peace and stability.” Greene, for his part, reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to preserving peace in the Taiwan Strait and reiterated America’s opposition to any unilateral changes to the status quo. Both sides agreed on the need for peaceful dialogue and constructive engagement across the strait.
Lin Chia-Lung, for his part, has been keen to highlight Taiwan’s unique experience in dealing with “gray-zone” tactics—such as cyber attacks and disinformation campaigns—which have become increasingly relevant to European countries since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “These countries want to know why Taiwan can continue to survive despite facing intimidation and coercion from the Communist Party of China,” Lin said, pointing to Taiwan’s resilience as a model for others facing similar threats.
Political analysts, such as Associate Professor Chen Shih-min of National Taiwan University, see Taiwan’s recent overtures to Europe as part of a long-term trend. “There has been a qualitative change in the economic relationship between Europe and China, going from ‘complementary’ 10 years ago to ‘competitive’ today,” Chen told The Straits Times. He predicted that as long as Taiwan’s Foreign Affairs Ministry continues to seize opportunities, bilateral relations with European countries will only grow stronger.
As Taiwan navigates a complex web of international relationships, its leaders are walking a diplomatic tightrope—balancing national interests, human rights, and the ever-present threat of misinformation. The island’s efforts to expand its global footprint, reinforce old alliances, and counter false narratives reveal a government determined not just to survive, but to thrive on the world stage.
