The American Journal of Transportation says that despite Taiwan's lack of recognition, the island is still an important democracy and trade partner. That's in an article featuring the director of Taiwan's representative office in New York, James Lee.
Lee says Taiwan is trying to pull away from China and strengthen its economic ties with many new countries, including South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. These new trade negotiations have resulted in over US$114 billion in transactions and Taiwan has invested over US$100 billion in these nations.
Lee says that Taiwan is already the United States' ninth largest trade partner. He also says that while China and Hong Kong currently take in 40% of Taiwan's exports, Taiwan is looking to strengthen its presence in the US market. He says Taiwan is already the center for semiconductors and electronics in Asia, and also acts as the strategic gateway between China and Southeast Asia.
Lee says that while Taiwan only has formal relations with 15 countries, over 40 countries support Taiwan's movement to join the World Health Assembly. Still, the journal says that Taiwan suffers because it is not allowed into international organizations like the UN and WHO. Lee says that Taiwan will continue to seek collaboration with foreign countries and international organizations in an attempt for greater recognition.