Surveillance capitalism and digital authoritarianism have become facts of life in recent years. Set against the US–China trade–tech–data standoff, the European Union (EU) and its member states are navigating their course of open strategic autonomy, assessing how to position themselves in the digital age. Synergies and coordination with like-minded partners – including the United States (US) and countries in the

Indo-Pacific – seem inevitable.

This raises the question of to what extent Taiwan can be a partner for closer cooperation on digital matters. Can the EU, and specifically the Netherlands, and Taiwan move beyond diverging priorities, and promote a human-centred approach to the digital domain by leveraging their economic, scientific and cultural ties?

In answering this question, this Clingendael Report examines the approaches of both sides to strengthening resilient societies, so-called ‘Big Tech’ regulation and digital development assistance. Findings suggest that while the underlying strategic interests and goals of Taiwan and Europe on digital connectivity align, priorities and strengths diverge. China’s growing influence and assertive behaviour pose a substantial challenge to both sides’ open, inclusive democracies, economic competitiveness and standard-setting power. As Europe and Taiwan improve policies domestically, as well as in and with third countries, especially in the Indo-Pacific region, they can benefit from each other’s complementary skills in specific digitalisation and digital connectivity domains.

In recent years, the Taiwanese government made great efforts to create a digital democracy and resilient society and to engage citizens actively in such processes through digital means. This is a product of Taiwan’s recent history and the tumultuous cross-strait relationship. The g0v movement stands out as a leaderless hacker collective that works with and for the government to promote the transparency of government information. It is committed to developing information platforms and tools for citizens to participate in society, blending technology and hackerdom with politics to create a new form of decision-making. The EU and its member states can benefit from Taiwan’s experience by exchanging best practices on e-government, blending technology and politics, and insourcing the experts needed to guide governments through their digital transformation.