With Taiwan in difficult straits internationally and having few cards to play diplomatically, in recent years the government has come to see Taiwan's economic power and the dexterity of its businessmen as a key asset in foreign relations. The government hopes to create a win-win situation in which the ROC's diplomatic partners gain aid and investment, while Taiwan firms find new business opportunities.
由於我國外交處境艱困，可以倚重的籌碼有限，近年來台灣的經濟實力與台商的靈活身段，被政府視為外交「利器」，並希望在援助邦交國的同時，也能為台商營造商機，以創造一種「雙贏」的外交方式。