On 25 October 2024, the Taipei office of the French Centre for Research on Contemporary China (CEFC) celebrated its 30th anniversary with an international conference titled Voyages of Taiwan Studies: French Perspectives Through the Years. Held at the Academia Sinica, where the CEFC Taipei has been based since 1998, the event brought together scholars, researchers, and policymakers to reflect on three decades of academic exchange and research excellence.
Opening the Dialogue: Mutual Understanding Through Academic Cooperation
The conference opened with speeches from prominent figures representing both Taiwanese and French institutions. James Liao, President of Academia Sinica, welcomed the audience by highlighting the CEFC’s vital role in fostering academic cooperation: “The CEFC Taipei’s presence within the Research Center for Humanities and Social Sciences at Academia Sinica facilitates deeper mutual understanding between Taiwan and France.”
Franck Paris, Director of the French Office in Taipei, underscored the unique contribution of the CEFC to Franco-Taiwanese relations: “Science is a fundamental part of our relationship. Excellence arises at the intersection of hard sciences and social sciences. We are proud that France’s academic presence in Taiwan is embodied by this CEFC office, which thrives in Taiwan’s culture of academic freedom.”
The current director of the CEFC Taipei, Corrado Neri, emphasised the office’s interdisciplinary and dynamic approach to research: “The CEFC Taipei is more than a research centre – it’s a platform to build partnerships and engage deeply with the complexities of this region. While our focus extends beyond Taiwan studies, we bring a distinctly French, interdisciplinary, and inclusive perspective to the field.”
Keynotes and Interdisciplinary Sessions
Understanding Taiwan’s Democratic Challenges
The morning keynote was delivered by Jean-Pierre Cabestan, the founding director of the CEFC Taipei and a prominent scholar in geopolitics and international relations. His presentation, Taiwan’s Democratic Consolidation and its Challenges, examined the island’s political evolution and the hurdles it faces in strengthening its democratic institutions amidst regional tensions.
Cabestan’s insights set the tone for the day’s discussions, reflecting on Taiwan’s resilience as a democracy in the face of internal and external challenges.
Session 1: Anatomy of Risks – Taiwan in a Global Perspective
The first session of the day, moderated by Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy (Assistant Professor, National Dong-Hwa University), explored the multidimensional risks Taiwan encounters in a volatile geopolitical environment.
- Paul Jobin (Academia Sinica) addressed Taiwan’s societal perception of risks, from environmental disasters such as earthquakes to the geopolitical “China factor.”
- Tanguy Lepesant (National Central University) delved into how Taiwan’s geography shapes its defence strategies, emphasising the critical role of physical and spatial factors in national security.
- Vincent Rollet (Wenzao Ursuline University) examined Taiwan’s participation in multilateral health organisations, highlighting both opportunities and obstacles.
- Jean-Yves Heurtebise (Fu Jen Catholic University) offered a reflective perspective on modernity’s risks, based on his seven years of research as an associate at the CEFC Taipei.
The session underscored the complexity of Taiwan’s position in the global arena and the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to understanding these challenges.
Session 2: Culture, Heritage, and Linguistic Diversity
The afternoon keynote by Fiorella Allio, former director of the CEFC Taipei, was a highlight of the conference. Drawing on her extensive fieldwork in Taiwan, Allio’s presentation, Navigating Back and Forth: Tradition and Heritagization in Contemporary Taiwan, explored the preservation and transformation of popular and religious traditions in Tainan. She reflected on the tension between temporalities and agencies in the heritagisation process, providing a nuanced view of cultural continuity and change.
The second session, moderated by Liu Pi-chen (Academia Sinica), shifted the focus to linguistic and cultural studies, showcasing a variety of case studies and methodological challenges:
- Elizabeth Zeitoun (Academia Sinica) highlighted the richness and fragility of Formosan languages, emphasising their critical role in understanding Taiwan’s cultural history.
- Corrado Neri (CEFC Taipei) and Chen Po-hsi (Academia Sinica) engaged in a dynamic discussion about Taiwanese cinephilia, tracing its evolution from the Golden Horse Film Festival to contemporary virtual reality platforms.
- Nathanel Amar (University of Hong Kong) explored the politics of cross-strait concerts, analysing how Taiwanese and Chinese bands navigate identity and representation in their performances.
These presentations demonstrated the CEFC’s commitment to exploring Taiwan’s cultural and linguistic diversity through interdisciplinary and collaborative research.
Session 3: New Directions in Taiwan Studies
The final session of the day, moderated by Frank Muyard (French School of Asian Studies), provided an opportunity to reflect on the future of Taiwan studies. Participants identified key areas for future interdisciplinary collaboration, including:
- Digital Humanities: Leveraging technological tools to advance research methodologies.
- Ageing Societies: Addressing the social and cultural implications of demographic change.
- Pacific Geopolitics: Exploring identity and resilience in Taiwan’s strategic positioning.
- Risk and Innovation: Examining trust and resilience in societies undergoing rapid change.
This session emphasised the growing recognition of Taiwan studies as a diverse and autonomous field, driven by collaborative efforts across disciplines and institutions.
Looking Back and Moving Forward
The 30th-anniversary celebrations concluded with a panel discussion featuring former and current directors of the CEFC Taipei, who reflected on the centre’s legacy and envisioned its future. The dialogue, moderated by Muyard, highlighted the CEFC’s enduring mission: fostering intellectual exchange and advancing understanding of Taiwan and the region within a global context.
Reception and Closing Remarks
The day ended with a reception at the Rotonde of the French Residency, a fitting conclusion to a celebration of Franco-Taiwanese academic collaboration. Guests, including researchers and policymakers, shared informal exchanges, reinforcing the community spirit that has defined the CEFC Taipei’s work over three decades.
The CEFC Taipei at 30: A Milestone for Research and Collaboration
As it marks its 30th anniversary, the CEFC Taipei stands at a crossroads, poised to embrace new challenges and opportunities. With its interdisciplinary approach, strong partnerships, and commitment to academic freedom, the centre is well-positioned to continue its vital role in shaping Taiwan studies and fostering Franco-Taiwanese dialogue.
Reflecting on the past three decades, the CEFC Taipei not only celebrates its achievements but also reaffirms its dedication to advancing research and understanding in the years to come. As Mr Paris aptly remarked: “Thirty is the perfect age to look forward with ambition and face the future challenges of research.”
Contributor Bio
Corrado NERI is professor at the Jean Moulin University, Lyon 3. He is director of CEFC TAIPEI (Centre Etudes France Chine/French Centre for Research on Contemporary China).
His most recent publication is Taiwanese-Language Cinema, Rediscovered and Reconsidered with Chris Berry, Wafa Ghermani and Ming-yeh Rawnsley (Edinburgh University Press, 2024).