The Taiwan ASEAN Studies Center (TASC)

Introduction

    The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been a positive and increasingly potent force behind recent economic integration in the Asia Pacific region. Taiwan has enjoyed longstanding, close ties with major ASEAN member states with bilateral cooperation covering trade, investment, culture and education. The creation and success of ASEAN alerted many in Taiwan to a pressing need to integrate the knowledge and resources of domestic scholars, research institutes and think tanks in order to enhance our understanding of Southeast Asia’s economies and cultures and, ultimately, to consider strategies to achieve eventual membership for Taiwan in advantageous regional economic partnerships.

It was in this spirit that the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER) planned and developed the Taiwan ASEAN Studies Center (TASC). The Center opened its doors on October 1st, 2009 and held its official opening on December 16th. TASC serves as a primary platform for research and cooperative exchanges in the realms of Southeast Asia research, regional studies, international affairs, development issues, and non-traditional security. The Center also works actively to promote positive exchange between Taiwan and national policy institutes in East and Southeast Asia. Ultimately, the goal of the TASC is to enhance exchange, interaction and mutual understanding between Taiwan and the nations of ASEAN in order to develop and expand cooperation in myriad areas.

TASC Objectives

1. Create an international platform for research and cooperative exchange on issues related to ASEAN and regional economics and trade;
2. Expand cooperative exchange between Taiwan and ASEAN-based policy institutes and government organizations;
3. Strengthen domestic research and analysis capabilities with regard to ASEAN and regional economics and trade;
4. Fully leverage potentials for Taiwan to join strategic studies into ASEAN and other regional economic and trade groupings;
5. Enhance domestic capabilities with regard to planning and implementing various cooperative arrangements with ASEAN member states;
6. Improve the dissemination in Taiwan of information and knowledge related to ASEAN member states and regional organizations.

TASC Activities

TASC is an academic research institute that engages on behalf of government and private sector clients in research & analysis, policy consultation, and policy planning work on topics related to ASEAN member states and regional developments in economics and trade. Main areas of professional interest include:

1. Creating and maintaining online web content / pages specifically related to ASEAN countries and regional economics / trade;
2. Engaging in cooperative exchanges with ASEAN and East Asia (Japan, Republic of Korea, Mainland China) policy institutes;
3. Conducting research and analysis of regional economic / trade integration trends within ASEAN, East Asia and the Pacific Rim;
4. Helping industry pursue opportunities for substantive research cooperation with partners in ASEAN member states;
5. Studying, planning and implementing practical opportunities for cooperation across all arenas between Taiwan and ASEAN member states;
6. Organizing international conferences, expert roundtables, and research symposia;
7. Arranging and facilitating exchanges with ASEAN member state academics, experts, government officials and business leaders;
8. Publishing and promoting publications of research findings, thesis compilations, and technical paper series.

Organization

The Director of TASC is responsible for all Center programs and planning. The three offices under the Managing Director include the Research & Policy Consultation Office, Cooperation & Conference Office, and Publications & Promotion Office. Each office is led and fully supported by experienced Chung-Hua Institution staff. A 9~15 member advisory committee is convened to guide and oversee Center research work direction and implementation. The committee plays a pivotal role - mapping out the direction of Center programs, making suggestions and providing critical guidance.

Contact Information

Tel：(8862)2735-6006 ext.3121; Direct Line:(8862)2735-0199; Fax:(8862)2377-2692