國立臺灣大學政治科學論叢

This study examines the evolution of Taiwan’s programs, strategies, and modes of foreign assistance to Vietnam during the late 1960s Cold War period. Drawing on historical archives from various departments and agencies in Taiwan and the United States, it highlights Taiwan’s role as an intermediary in coordinating U.S. international aid to counter the spread of Communism in Asia and beyond, positioning Taiwan at the forefront of the economic Cold War. Export processing zones (EPZs) are emphasized as a key component of this containment strategy. This case sheds light on the complex relationship between foreign aid (particularly USAID), geopolitics, and post-colonial state-building, contributing to current literature on developmentalism. Taiwan’s early efforts in “economic and trade diplomacy” through bilateral agreements are also underscored, despite the lack of support from international organizations like the United Nations, and its limited involvement in the Vietnam War under U.S. direction. Finally, the analysis emphasizes that Taiwan’s participation in international aid was largely economically driven, shaped by its own development trajectory and U.S. geostrategic interests during the Cold War in Asia.