Will Taiwan Be Marginalized by China?

Abstract

This paper shows that Taiwan has benefited immensely from China's accession to the World Trade Organization, in terms of the expansion of its exports to China, owing to Taiwan's institutional and structural advantages. Behind the rapid expansion of trade and investment, however, Taiwan runs a high risk of hollowing out its domestic industries, a risk that is manifested in a decline in exports, a loss of control over logistics functions that serve the export industry, and the relocation of research and development activities to China. Taiwan is facing an uphill battle of keeping its capital- and knowledge-intensive industries at home while attempting to take advantage of low-cost Chinese labor to retain its position in the world market.