In recent years, strategic narratives have become central to how small and middle powers assert agency in contested international orders. For Taiwan, positioned at the geopolitical crossroads of the Indo-Pacific, narrative legitimacy and leadership ethos have grown increasingly vital as global fault lines sharpen around U.S.-China rivalry and regional democratic resilience. This paper examines the public rhetoric of Lai Ching-te, the current president of Taiwan, during a period of domestic political division and intensifying international scrutiny. It applies a multi-level analytical framework that combines macro-level strategic narrative theory with micro-level rhetorical and discourse analysis. Through this approach, the study considers how political figures legitimize their leadership and reposition national identity by drawing upon autobiographical, citizen-centered, collective, and adversarial narratives. In particular, it explores how such narratives operate within broader processes of alliance-building, threat construction, and regional identity formation amid geopolitical fluidity. Rather than advancing a definitive argument, the paper offers an interpretive framework for analyzing how presidential speech can serve both as a reflection of political pressures and as a tool for shaping perceptions of nationhood, sovereignty, and democratic legitimacy. By situating Lai’s communicative style within evolving narrative structures, the study aims to contribute to broader conversations about discourse, leadership, and strategic meaning-making in East Asia’s shifting diplomatic environment.

Authors:
Yuan-Ming Chiao, Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages, Taiwan

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Yuan-Ming Chiao is currently Assistant Professor at the Department of International Affairs, Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuan-ming-chiao-2b404912

See this presentation on the full schedule – Sunday Schedule

Bookmark