By Wallace Minn-Gan Chow, Representative of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines
At a time when the Indo-Pacific faces growing uncertainty, Taiwan and the Philippines must stand shoulder to shoulder—not just as neighbors across a narrow strait, but as brothers bound by shared Austronesian roots, democratic values, and common struggles. The Philippines deserves capable friends who bring solutions, not coercion. Taiwan, with its resilience, innovation, and sincerity, stands ready. The path forward is clear: it is time to chip in with Taiwan.
Close in Distance, Close in Blood
Filipinos and Taiwanese are linked not only by geography but also by blood and history. The people of Batanes in the Philippines and Lanyu in Taiwan share languages with striking similarities, seafaring traditions, and even stone houses that echo a shared way of life. These are not just cultural coincidences—they are proof that our peoples are family, connected across generations by the ocean that unites rather than divides us.
Today, this kinship extends beyond culture to politics and security. As two vibrant democracies, both Taiwan and the Philippines face the same pressures from authoritarian threats, yet both continue to stand tall in defense of freedom, peace, and dignity.
A Natural Semiconductor Partnership
The Philippines is fast emerging as Southeast Asia’s hub for semiconductor assembly and testing, already accounting for 32% of exports in 2024. Taiwan, meanwhile, produces more than 90% of the world’s most advanced chips and leads in research, design, and manufacturing.
Together, our strengths are perfectly complementary. Taiwan brings cutting-edge technology, while the Philippines offers a dynamic workforce and expanding capacity. By working together, Manila and Taipei can build a resilient “non-red supply chain”—a democratic supply chain that resists coercion and secures global prosperity.
The Luzon Economic Corridor: A Democratic Lifeline
The Luzon Economic Corridor, launched by the Philippines, the United States, and Japan, is designed to connect infrastructure and investment across Luzon. With Taiwan’s participation, this corridor can become a democratic lifeline—linking Filipino talent, Taiwanese innovation, and allied capital into a powerful engine for inclusive growth.
For Filipinos, this means jobs and opportunity. For Taiwan, diversification and security. For the region, a supply chain built on freedom, not fear.
Taiwan: A Proven Partner, Yet Still Excluded
Taiwan has shown it is more than capable of contributing to the global good. From pioneering smart healthcare and renewable energy to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Taiwan has consistently been a responsible partner.
Yet Taiwan remains excluded from the United Nations system, a result of Beijing’s misuse of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758. That resolution merely determined who represents China in the UN—it never authorized Beijing to speak for Taiwan’s 23 million people. To continue this exclusion is unjust and contrary to the UN’s own pledge to “leave no one behind.”
A Growing Global Consensus
The tide of international opinion is shifting. The United States, Australia, the Netherlands, Belgium, the United Kingdom, and the European Parliament have all affirmed that UNGA Resolution 2758 does not determine Taiwan’s status and should not be used to silence Taiwan. The U.S. even passed the Taiwan International Solidarity Act in 2023 to counter Beijing’s distortion.
Even UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed acknowledged that leaving out Taiwan contradicts the UN’s core values. It is time for outdated policies to be reconsidered in favor of justice, inclusion, and fairness.
Taiwan and the Philippines: Stronger Together
The Philippines and Taiwan are partners not by chance, but by destiny. Close in distance, connected in blood, and united by democracy, we are stronger together.
For the Philippines, chipping in with Taiwan means choosing friendship over intimidation, opportunity over dependence, and shared prosperity over coercion. Taiwan offers sincerity, capability, and commitment.
To chip in with Taiwan is to build a future where neighbors grow as partners, families across seas remain united, and nations thrive together—guided not by fear, but by mutual respect, dignity, and true friendship.