Securing the Strait: U.S.-Taiwan Security Relations

Tuesday, November 28, 2017
3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Location: The Conference Center at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Root Room
1779 Massachusetts Ave NW
Washington, DC 20036

Recent events and actions regarding challenges in the Asia-Pacific region highlight a clear requirement for a more cooperative U.S. partnership with Taiwan. The 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) advocates for a strengthened U.S. defense partnership with Taiwan through the following: 1) regular transfers of defense articles and defense services, 2) support in building Taiwan’s air defense capabilities along with a program of technical assistance and consultation to improve Taiwan’s undersea warfare capabilities, and 3) continued programs of exchanges with senior military officers and senior officials to improve U.S.-Taiwan military-to-military relations. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford’s characterization of China (PRC) as “posing the greatest threat” to the U.S. by 2025 provides further reason for Taiwan’s defense needs, as the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) modernization and reorganization under General Secretary Xi Jinping continues to enhance its capabilities. Additionally, the 2017 Annual Report to Congress: Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China published by the Department of Defense notes the PLA’s potential to degrade core U.S. military-technological advantages, which could impact U.S. intervention in a Taiwan conflict scenario. Given the credible threat, David Helvey, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security affairs defined the United States’ and Taiwan’s common goal as having “a credible and visible deterrent to potential coercion and aggression against Taiwan.” With a common goal established, the United States and Taiwan must seek innovative and cooperative initiatives to develop latent inter-operability and a cohesive deterrent to maintain peace and stability in the region.

In light of the threats facing the U.S. – Taiwan relationship, this conference will bring together a distinguished group of experts to address the Chinese Communist Party’s coercive actions against Taiwan and impress upon areas of opportunities for strengthened security relations between the United States and Taiwan.

James Lee
Deputy Representative
Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office

Rupert Hammond-Chambers
President
U.S.-Taiwan Business Council

Anish Goel
Professional Staff
Senate Committee on Armed Services
Senior Fellow
New America

Tiffany Ma
Senior DIrector for Political and Security Affairs
National Buearu of Asian Research

Mark Stokes
Executive Director
Project 2049 Institute

Moderator: Rachael Burton
Deputy Director
Project 2049 Institute