- Examining the four pillars of Taiwan‘s emerging approach -
As countries confront complex external threats, their leaders often seek to forge grand strategies to organize tools of statecraft for protecting and advancing national interests. Taiwan presently faces a threat of annexation from the People’s Republic of China, in addition to shifts in the global economy that could erode Taiwan’s competitive position. In the face of these threats, Taiwan’s newly elected leader, President Lai Ching-te, appears to be forging a grand strategy designed to secure Taiwan’s political autonomy and democratic governance. This emerging grand strategy rests on four pillars: developing whole-of-society resilience; pursuing active diplomacy with other key powers; raising international awareness of Taiwan’s indispensability to the global economy; and building asymmetric defensive capabilities. To make progress in advancing this strategy, the Lai administration will need to overcome deepening domestic political divides as well as challenges to Taiwan’s well-being, such as limits on energy supply and demographic headwinds. How well Lai succeeds in building support for his vision will go a long way toward determining the future of Taiwan and the direction of cross-Strait relations.