claims to the South China Sea, ending a 3-year legal battle with the Philippines.

結束了與菲律賓三年的法律爭端

This case also affected Taiwan which has its own claims to the highly disputed waters..

這一案件也影響到了自稱對爭議海域有主權的台灣

In a bold effort to reinforce its position, Taiwan sent a warship to the region.

為了加強自己的立場，台灣派出了一艘軍艦到這個地區

And, according to the Taiwanese government, this is just the beginning of it's military

根據台灣政府說法，這只是台灣在該地區

advances in the area.

軍事進展的開始

So, just how powerful is Taiwan?

那麼，台灣到底有多強大？

Well, in terms of its size and population, Taiwan is relatively small.

就規模和人口而言，台灣是相對較小的

The country is home to roughly 23 million people, considerably less than its populous

這個國家大约有 2300 萬人，遠較人口眾多的鄰国

neighbors, China, Japan and the Philippines.

中國、日本和菲律賓為少

Taiwan is also just under 14 thousand square miles, or slightly larger than the US state

台灣面積還不到 1 萬 4 千平方英里，比美國馬里蘭州

of Maryland.

略大一些

But despite its modest size, Taiwan has a considerable impact on the global economy.

儘管台灣的經濟規模不大，但卻對全球經濟產生了相當大的影響

With a GDP of more than $520 billion dollars, the country's economy is the largest outside

其國內生產總值超過 5,200 億美元，是非聯合國成員中

the United Nations.

最大的經濟體

Traditionally, Taiwan is heavily reliant on farming.

傳統上，台灣非常依賴農業

However, after rapid industrialization during the second half of the 20th century, the country

但在 20 世紀下半葉快速工業化之後

shifted its focus to manufactured exports, like electronics and machinery.

該國把重點轉移到製成品出口，如電子和機械

Today, Taiwan's economy is industrial, capitalist, and extremely export-driven.

如今，台灣的經濟已是工業化，資本密集，極度的出口導向

In fact, the country, alongside the high-income economies of Hong Kong, South Korea and Singapore,

實際上，這個國家，與香港、韓國和新加坡這三個高收入經濟體

are known as the "Four Asian Tigers".

一起被稱為 「亞洲四小龍」

Taiwan also benefits from its unique economic partnership with China.

台灣也受益於與中國獨特的經濟夥伴關係

In 2014, bilateral trade amounted to nearly $200 billion dollars, making China Taiwan's

2014年，雙邊貿易額達近 2000 億美元，使得中國成為台灣最大的貿易夥伴

largest trade partner, as well as their primary destination for direct foreign investment.

以及直接對外投資的主要地區

However, many have argued that Taiwan is too dependent on China.

但許多人認為，台灣過於依賴中國

And in fact, China's slowing economic growth has already affected the island's somewhat

事實上，中國經濟增長的趨緩已經影響了島內

fragile economy.

有些脆弱的經濟

Further complicating the matter, China and Taiwan have been in conflict since the island

更為複雜的是，自 1949 年台灣成立中華民國政府開始

formed its own government in 1949.

它就和中國一 直處於衝突對立之中

China claims that Taiwan is part of their country, and has blocked the island's attempts

中國聲稱台灣是中國的一部分，並且阻止了

at independence.

台灣獨立的企圖

Taiwan, on the other hand, prohibits reunification with China without a public referendum and

另一方面，台灣認為在沒有經公民投票和立法支持的情況下

legislative support.

就該禁止與中國統一

What's more, Taiwan lost its seat in the United Nations in 1971, when the UN chose

更重要的是，當聯合國在 1971 年承認中華人民共和國取代中華民國所擁有的席位與代表權後

to recognize China instead.

台灣就失去了在聯合國的席位

Many have argued that looming tensions with China have led Taiwan to build up a robust

許多人認為，與中國緊張的關係導致台灣建立強大的

military.

軍事力量

The country boasts nearly 2 million defense personnel, and a defense budget of more than

台灣擁有近 200 萬名國防人員，國防預算超過

$10 billion dollars.

100 億美元

Proportionally, that's about the same as the US - which is famous for prioritizing

這與美國的情況大致相同 - 美國以國防優先

defense.

著稱

But despite its standing conflicts and precarious political status, Taiwan is, by most accounts,

但是，儘管衝突持續存在，政治地位也不穩定，但大多數情況下

thriving.

台灣仍然蓬勃發展

Despite a global economic slowdown, the island's economy continues to diversify,

儘管全球經濟趨緩，島內經濟繼續多元化

and its poverty rate remains one of the lowest in the world.

貧困率仍是世界最低的國家之一

Taiwan also ranks exceptionally high in terms of press freedom, health care and quality

台灣在新聞自由，醫療保健和生活質量方面

of life.

也獲得極高的評價

So, although the country is often overshadowed by its large, populous neighbors,

所以，雖然台灣的光芒常常被周遭人口眾多的鄰國所掩蓋

there's no question that Taiwan is incredibly powerful on its own.

但毫無疑問，台灣本身確實具有極大的影響力

To learn more about Taiwan's complicated relationship with China,

想知道更多關於台灣和中國之間的複雜關係

check out this video.

看看這支影片吧

By 1987, Taiwan began allowing residents to visit Mainland China.

1987 年開始，台灣開放人民造訪中國

And both countries established institutions to deal with governmental relations.

且兩國都設立了專屬的機構來處理兩岸之間的關係

Thanks for watching SeekerDaily.

感謝收看 SeekerDaily

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別忘了按個讚並訂閱我們的頻道

You can see new videos everyday.

讓你天天都收看最新影片