In the battle for public opinion between China and Taiwan, Beijing has many advantages over its neighbor: the ability to leverage the world’s second-largest economy, an influential diplomatic corps and vast resources.
Diplomatically isolated, the democratic island of Taiwan has amplified its message and pushed back against Chinese propaganda with one of the few things Beijing doesn’t have many of — high-profile women taking the lead in defending the government’s interests.
Hsiao Bi-khim is on the front line of that effort in the United States, Taiwan’s most important strategic partner. Taipei’s representative — and de facto ambassador — to Washington, Hsiao has wasted little time in pushing for stronger American ties since she arrived in Washington this past summer.