Taiwan is expanding a youth exchange program that brings young people from its 12 remaining diplomatic allies to the island, a soft-power push that helps Taipei hold onto shrinking international support.

• Taiwan wants 85 young people from allied countries to train on the island this year, up from 66 last year.
• Just under half the spots have been filled so far, and applications are still open through Taiwan's embassies abroad.
• Participants aged 18 to 30 spend a month in Taiwan working in tourism, clean energy, healthcare, or farming tech.
• The program started as a one-way scheme sending Taiwanese youth abroad before Taipei turned it into a two-way exchange.
• With only 12 formal allies left after years of Chinese pressure, these personal ties are one of the few diplomatic tools Taiwan has.

Outlook: Taipei will likely keep growing the program as it fights to keep its remaining allies from switching recognition to Beijing.