Introduction

The establishment of the European Association of Taiwan Studies (EATS) in London in 2004 kick-started a new wave of academic interest in the history, politics, society and culture of the little island republic that continuously faces 'the shadow of China'. Even though the international community of Taiwan scholars has always been very small – especially compared to the much bigger flock of China scholars – it has made itself noticed in various ways since the inauguration of EATS. Taiwan is a moral challenge to China, which is, for all its economic prowess, political influence and military might, considered by most Western observers a weak giant as long as it cannot do away with repression of regime critics, media control and corruption throughout its party and government apparatus. It would thus be self-deceiving to claim that Taiwan's scholarly attraction stands apart from China's impact on contemporary international society.