Misconception: She’s weak and unassertive

Reality: Even though we don’t get much canon material of her, her
character notes state otherwise.

Those who wish to
accurately depict her should take note of the fact that she’s described as a
smart girl with a strong mind—I’ll get more into that in a little bit.

Source: Volume 2.

Ex: There’s an old
sketch where she stands up to China and tells him to back off from Japan. The
panel seems to take place in the period where China still held a wartime grudge
against Japan.

Source: Hetarchive, Taiwan’s profile.

Ex: Her appropriate
reaction to Italy requesting to place his head on her chest. Please note that
this took place during the Chest Test series, where Italy places his head on the
chests of all complying nations. The intentions weren’t perverted in nature…it’s
more reminiscent of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

Source: Hetarchive (Bamboo Thicket, eng trans., Nov 8th, 2013).

Misconception: She doesn’t get along with other Asian nations and is
reclusive.

Reality: She’s on very friendly terms with other Asian nations.

I know that her
history is complicated, but it’s also important to recognize that Hetalia is a
series that promotes worldwide peace and solidarity.

While it does avoid certain topics—as necessitated
by its comedic and satirical genre—that doesn’t mean they’re trivialized. The
series has shown that in spite of experiencing rocky political relationships,
the personifications are nonetheless able to maintain a personal life separate from
it.

Ex: In the present, Taiwan
is a regular visitor of China’s home.

Source: Volume 4, Ilha Formosa ~Beautiful Island~ + Volume 5.

Ex: She’s on good
terms with Hong Kong. He visits her, and she visits him. 

Source: Hetarchive (Bamboo Thicket, Nov 25th, 2013).

Besides that, she’s
particularly close with Vietnam.

Ex: She chooses
Vietnam’s Halloween outfit, much to the latter’s dismay.

Source: Hetarchive, Halloween 2013-2014 Event.

Ex: She convinced
Vietnam to take a photo with her. The significance of the moment rests with the
fact that Vietnam is insecure about her inability to smile.

Source: Volume 4, 

Ilha Formosa ~Beautiful Island~.

Misconception: She’s
a flat character with no personality.

Reality: She could definitely
use more development, but she still has unique attributes.

While Taiwan’s
character is due for some fleshing out, as is the case with most female nations
[unfortunately], the facts that we do receive about her are enough to work with. The
information is all there; you just have to look for it.

Ex: She’s a skilled
businesswoman.

Source: Hetarchive, Halloween 2013-2014 Event.

Ex: She likes
fortune-telling.

Source: Hetscanlations, World Stars Chapter 239.

Ex: She’s a good cook
and likes fashion.

Source: Volume 5. 

Bonus facts:

Strips suggest that
Taiwan may be attracted to both men and women.

i.e., she gives
Valentine’s Chocolates to Japan (France and Italy’s suggestive looks are
important) + she purposefully convinces Vietnam to wear a tight Halloween
costume and oggles at Belarus and Ukraine.

Source: Hetascanlations, World Stars Chapter 42 + Hetarchive, Halloween 2013-2014 Event.

She’s a bird
lover. 

Source: Volume 5 + Hetarchive (Bamboo Thicket, eng trans., Jan 22nd 2011).

She’s an avid fan of
anime.