Containing the COVID-19 Pandemic Under an External Threat: A Case Study of Taiwan

Abstract

Given the global reach of the COVID-19 pandemic, external factors play a critical role in containing its spread and prompt questions about how such threats affect a country's response. Taiwan has received recognition for its effective management of the early stages of the pandemic, but faced significant international obstruction, especially from China. This study examines the relationship between Taiwanese citizens' trust in China and their satisfaction with the government’s COVID-19 policies by analyzing data from six rounds of the Taiwan Election and Democratization Study (TEDS) conducted between 2020 and 2022. This research reveals that public opinion about China can significantly influence people’s satisfaction with domestic policies, particularly during crises like pandemics. Thus, factors beyond national borders can influence public satisfaction with public health policies. The findings contribute to existing literature on shaping public opinion under external threats and have broader implications for China's impact on Taiwan’s domestic politics.