Taiwan''s APEC Digital Opportunity Center Initiative as Public Diplomacy:A Perspective from Chile

• Main Authors: Claudio A. Melendez, 門瑞德
• Other Authors: Dr. Jung-nung Chang
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2010
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/12136271739767070137

碩士 === 銘傳大學 === 國際事務研究所碩士班 === 98 === The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) has emerged for the purpose of enlarging the free trade and economic development, but it has also involved regional cooperation in several areas. Taiwan with its unique characteristics, consisting of restriction in participating in international organizations, unable to obtain new diplomatic relations, and the struggle over the People’ Republic of China (PRC) reunification attempts, has developed a unilateral initiative, ADOC (APEC Digital Opportunity Center), which aims to reduce the digital gaps and promote the e-business among member economies. Chile as an APEC member has been one of the targets of this initiative. This study explores the result of two ADOC objectives: to increase Taiwan’s visibility and to strengthen relations with Chile. The sources of information are interviews and the examination of online articles in Chile. The research takes as theoretical framework the regional cooperation within APEC, the ideas of soft power, and public diplomacy as a strategy to promote Taiwan’s national interests. The research found that ADOC has got several agreements with different Chilean institutions, but has been difficult to maintain the alliances. In addition, there is a low intensity in coverage on online articles in Chilean website and lack of well-developed communication strategy.