The Importance of Taiwan’s Geostrategic Position in the Political Map of Asia-Pacific Region

Abstract

In spite o f appearing late in the world's written history, Taiwan has become an important geopolitical factor to lure the interest o f other countries to the island. By using theoretical research methods and qualitative research methods, this research begins with a description o f the physical setting o f the island and analyzes its geostrategic importance. From the 17th century, Europe’s colonials were attracted to Taiwan by its strategic location. The Dutch as well as the Spanish form ally colonized Taiwan from 1624 to 1662 and considered it as a Europe's colonial outpost in East Asia. In the next centuries, Taiwan had still been an outpost o fa d va n ce-a basefor expanding into South China and Southeast Asia. The Japanese and the American were aware o f this point. Taiwan has been the geopolitical dispute object between China and the United States (US) during many decades.