陳水扁在今年台灣的總統大選中獲勝。渠在競選間之言論以及近期在組閣的實際 過程中，均顯示新政府在大陸和外交政策上與過去有明顯的差異，因而引起國際社會的關切。 新政府對國際政治的認知尚稱符合現實，而且維護台灣利益的決心也無庸置疑，但其傾向台 獨的政治主張，恐將帶來衝擊。台灣在國際政治上優劣勢並見；政治民主化、經濟現代化等 都是台灣的優勢，而中共的國際地位、軍事力量與外交攻勢，在在都使台灣處在相對的弱勢。 今後，如何保障國家安全，維持經濟發展，和中共、美國、日本等維持穩定的關係，努力開 展國際活動、參加國際組織等，都是對外事務的重要課題。

　　　　　Mr. Chen Shui-bian was elected the President of the Republic of China on March 18, 2000. Judging by his recent announcements and the manner by which he attempts to assemble the new cabinet, it is apparent that his government would be quite different form the KMT government in so far as Mainland China policy as well as foreign policy are concerned. This has caused grave concern both at home and abroad. The new government's position on foreign policy appears moderate and its determination to defend Taiwan is doubtless. Only its pro-independence position casts a shadow across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan has its strength and its weaknesses in the international arena. Taiwan's strength lies in its political democratization, economic liberalization and strategic importance, while military pressures from the PRC and diplomatic blockade from Beijing tend to be the biggest challenges facing Taiwan. The urgent task for Taiwan is to protect national security, maintain economic development, sustain stable relationship with the adjacent powers, such as Japan and the United States and keep trying to enter international organization.