Open letter to democratic Taiwan

This is the open letter signed by 44 scholars, former government and military officials, and friends of Taiwan to express their support of Taiwan’s democracy in response to the recent threat from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

We the undersigned scholars, former government and military officials, and other friends of Taiwan who have witnessed and admired Taiwan’s transition to democracy for many decades wish to express to the people of Taiwan our sense of urgency to maintain unity and continuity at this critical moment in Taiwan’s history.

It is obvious that during the past two years, the People’s Republic of China has left no stone unturned in its attempts to squeeze Taiwan’s international space, threaten it with a buildup of military power and make it appear as if Taiwan’s only future lies in integration with an authoritarian China.

This pressure culminated on Wednesday last week with a speech by Chinese President and Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping (習近平), telling the Taiwanese people that “the Taiwan question” was a Chinese internal affair, that unification under China’s “one country, two systems” principle was the only option for the future and Taiwan independence was a “dead end.”

In her response the same day, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) emphasized that the vast majority of the Taiwanese people strongly rejected “one country, two systems” and that her government had never accepted the so-called “1992 consensus.”

She then reiterated her “Taiwan consensus” based on the “four musts,” elaborated in her New Year’s address the day before. These include that China must accept the reality of the existence of the Republic of China (Taiwan), and respect the commitment of the 23 million people of Taiwan to freedom and democracy.

As international scholars, writers and former officials we believe this is the right response. It is also illustrative of the stable and responsible leadership Tsai has displayed in the face of the mounting threat from communist China.

We applaud the courageous stance of the Taiwanese people in resisting Chinese pressures and protecting their own democratic system.

However, we express our concerns that Beijing’s latest subversive techniques of deception and disinformation could sow division and confusion in Taiwan’s body politic and create the kind of civil unrest that Beijing lists as one of the pretexts for using force against Taiwan — which would nevertheless constitute aggression in violation of the UN Charter.

In our view, Tsai is a most effective and knowledgeable statesperson. With her quiet demeanor and careful balancing she has not only significantly advanced Taiwan’s place in the international community, and elevated Taiwan’s profile on the international radar screen, but also stood firm in defending Taiwan’s hard-won freedom and democracy.

Just as Taiwan has made itself a democratic model for the region, Tsai has earned the respect of other nations for her courageous and composed response to the aggressive bullying of Taiwan’s powerful neighbor. We urge our own governments to make clear to Beijing that Taiwan does not stand alone.

Taiwan is at a crossroads as never before. It is under an existential threat by the People’s Republic of China. While we respect the reality that Taiwan, like all democratic polities, has a range of domestic issues that must be resolved, that democratic process should proceed in a manner that does not detract from the overall national unity in the face of the larger threat to Taiwan’s existence as a free and democratic nation.

If Taiwanese across the political spectrum fail to understand this threat, and go on with business as usual, this provides Beijing’s repressive leaders with an opportunity to divide Taiwanese society and increasingly make it an inevitability that Taiwan is incorporated into China.

This happened with East Turkestan in 1949, Tibet in 1950 to 1951, and Hong Kong in 1997. The repression and lack of freedom and democracy there should serve as a wake-up call for Taiwan.

We thus appeal to the people of Taiwan to maintain a clear vision for their future as a free and democratic nation that is a full and equal member in the international family of nations. The process may be slow and cumbersome, but it is essential to maintain unity and to be supportive of a democratically elected president who has demonstrated balance, flexibility and toughness.

These are the qualities Taiwan needs to navigate the stormy seas ahead towards a brighter and more secure future.

國際學者給台灣人民的公開信  (Taiwanese version)

我們這封信的共同聯署人有學者、前政府文職和軍職官員，及其他台灣友人，歷經幾十年見證並讚賞台灣的民主轉型，希望藉這封公開信向台灣人民表明，在台灣歷史的關鍵時刻，我們認識到台灣應保持團結與持續的急迫性。

很顯然的，在過去兩年，中華人民共和國不擇手段試圖壓縮台灣的國際空間，以擴充其軍力作為威脅，要造成台灣的未來只有納入威權體制之中國的印象。

這些壓力累積到二○一九年一月二日，中國國家主席兼中共中央總書記習近平的談話達新高點，習近平在談話中告訴台灣人民，「台灣問題」是中國的內政，依「一國兩制」的原則完成統一是未來唯一的選項，台灣獨立是「死路」。

蔡英文總統在同一天回應習近平的談話，強調絕大多數台灣人民強烈反對「一國兩 制」；她主政的政府從未接受所謂「九二共識」。

她並說明，她主張的「台灣共識」是基於「四個必需」，包括中國必需接受中華民國(台灣)存在的事實，和必須尊重台灣二千三百萬人民對自由與民主的堅持。

作為國際學者、作家及前政府官員，我們深信這是正確的反應。如此反應也顯示出 蔡總統在面對共產中國日增的威脅下，所展現的穩健與盡責的領導能力。

我們對台灣人民抗拒中國威脅，衛護民主制度的勇毅立場感到欽佩。但是我們耽心 北京最近採取的欺騙與散佈謠言的顛覆技倆，可能播下台灣內部分裂與混亂的種子， 造成北京列為對台灣動武之藉口的內部動亂──雖然使用武力構成違反聯合國憲章 的侵略行為。

我們認為蔡總統是一位最具能力，知識豐富的政治人物。以她沈穩的性格和謹慎持平的立場，她不但使台灣國際地位顯著增進，提升台灣在國際間的能見度，而且堅定維護台灣得來不易的自由與民主。

正如台灣成為地區民主模範，蔡總統對強鄰侵略性霸淩所作的果決與鎮定回應，己贏得其他國家的尊敬。我們促請我們自己本國的政府也向北京表明，台灣並不是孤 立無援。

台灣正處於前所未見的十字路口。它的生存正受中華人民共和國的威脅。雖然我們 尊重台灣，和所有民主體制一樣，有許多內政問題必需解決的現實，但在台灣作為 自由與民主國家的生存面臨更大威脅時，民主的程序應該以不影響舉國團結的方式 進行。

如果不同政治立場的台灣人民不瞭解這項威脅，依舊爭紛如常，那將給手段高壓的 北京領導人有機會分化台灣社會，使台灣被納入中國日益變成不可避免。這已經發 生在一九四九年的東突(新疆)，一九五○年至一九五一年的西藏，一九九七年的 香港。這些地方受到壓迫，沒有民主與自由，應作為台灣的警訊。

我們呼籲台灣人民看清未來作為自由與民主國家，成為國際社會完整與平等成員的 前景。這個過程可能緩慢和繁複，但基本要務是自己要團結支持以民主方式選出的 總統。蔡總統已展現持平、彈性和堅定的風格，台灣正是需要這種領袖特質，以渡 過風浪，航向更光明與安全的未來。

John J. Tkacik, International Assessment and Strategy Center, retired US foreign service officer, Alexandria, Virginia

Clive Ansley, international lawyer, Courtenay, British Columbia

Thomas Bartlett, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California

Joseph A. Bosco, Georgetown University (retired), formerly at the office of the secretary of defense, US Department of Defense, Washington

Kevin Carrico, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

Frank Chiang, Fordham University Law School, New York

Peter Chow, City University of New York, New York

Jerome A. Cohen, New York University Law School, New York

Michael Danielsen, Taiwan Corner, Copenhagen, Denmark

June Teufel Dreyer, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida

Feng Chongyi, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia

Carl Ford, former US assistant secretary of state, National Park University, Park, Arkansas

Brock Freeman, American Citizens for Taiwan, Seattle, Washington

Michael Rand Hoare, School of Oriental and African Studies, London

Thomas G. Hughes, former chief of staff to the late US senator Claiborne Pell, Washington

Michael A. Hunzeker, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia

J. Bruce Jacobs, professor emeritus of Asian Languages and Studies, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

Paul Jobin, Academia Sinica, Taiwan, and University of Paris Diderot, France

Richard C. Kagan, professor emeritus, Hamline University, St Paul, Minnesota

Michael Y.M. Kau, professor emeritus, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island

Bruno Kaufmann, European Democracy Foundation, Switzerland

Sasa Istenic Kotar, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia

Paul Kovenock, US Department of State (retired), Washington

Andre Laliberte, University of Ottawa, Canada

Perry Link, professor emeritus of East Asian studies, Princeton University, New Jersey

Victor H. Mair, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Very Reverend Dr Bruce McLeod, former moderator, United Church of Canada

Wayne Pajunen, writer and former legislative aide, House of Commons, Ottawa

Timothy S. Rich, Western Kentucky University, Kentucky

Shawna Yang Ryan, University of Hawaii, Manoa, Hawaii

Michael Scanlon, Shih Chien University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

David C. Schak, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia

James D. Seymour, Columbia University, New York City

Fang-long Shih, London School of Economics and Political Science, London

Michael Stainton, Taiwanese Human Rights Association of Canada, Toronto, Canada

William A. Stanton, former director of the American Institute in Taiwan, Taipei

Peter Tague, Georgetown University Law Center, Washington

Ross Terrill, Fairbank Center Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Arthur Waldron, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Gerrit van der Wees, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia

Jack F. Williams, professor emeritus, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan

Yenna Wu, University of California, Riverside, California

Ambassador Stephen M. Young, US department of state (retired), Londonderry, New Hampshire

Gordon G. Chang, author of The Coming Collapse of China, New Jersey.

World Economic Forum (WEF), Geneva, Switzerland, released The Global Competitiveness Report 2018 on October 17, 2018.  This report surveyed 140 global economies.  The ranking are calculated from both publicly available data and the Executive Opinion Survey.  The United States, Singapore, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, Netherlands, Hong Kong, United Kingdom, Sweden, and Denmark are the top ten of the world’s most competitive economies.    In Asia, Taiwan ranked 13 (15 last year), behind Singapore, Japan, and Hong Kong; while South Korea and China ranked 15 and 28 respectively.   Ranking is based on the score of GCI.  This year WEF introduced the new Global Competitiveness Index 4.0, a much-needed economic compass, building on 40years of experience in benchmarking the drivers of long-term competitiveness. According to WEF, the index integrates well-established aspects with new and emerging levers that drive productivity and growth.    GCI is the average score of four general categories (Enabling Environment, Human Capital, Markets and Innovation Ecosystem).   It consists of 12 pillars (Institutions, Infrastructure, ICT adoption, Macroeconomic stability, Health, Skills, Product market, Labor market, Financial system, Market size, Business dynamism and Innovation capability). Taiwan received high ranking in macro-economic stability (1), innovation capability (4) and financial system (7).    Two worst rankings are health (27) and institutions (25).  There are a total of 98 items to be considered for evaluation.  WEF also provided scores and ranking for all 98 items.  In addition to scores, WEF showed  five selected contextual indicators: Population: 23.6 millions, GDP (PPP)% world GDP: 0.93, GDP per capita US$ 24,576.7, 5-year average FDI inward flow % GDP: 0.8, 10-year average annual GDP growth %: 2.6.

The results of midterm elections held on November 24 showed that Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) easily won mayoral races in 15 counties and cities； while DPP only won 6, down from 13. President Tsai Ing-wen immediately announced that she will step down as DPP chairperson.  Among six major cities, DPP only kept two, Tainan and Taoyuan.  KMT won three ( Taichung, Kaohsiung and New Taipei) and  independent Ko Wen-je, the current mayor, barely beat KMT candidate Ting Shou-chung in Taipei。In the 2014 local elections, the DPP won 13 cities and counties.  The results of 2018 elections almost reversed the previous seats.   The mayor-elected Han Kuo-yu had little experience and knowledge in politics.  During the campaign, he made many big and ridicules promises.  However, he defeated his DPP rival Chen Chi-mai with large margin.  Han created a so-called  ”Han style, wave and stream” which spread around Kaohsiung and other parts of Taiwan in the last two months.  It was speculated that “Han wave” is the KMT’s secret weapon for their success in elections.   New Taipei City mayor-elect Hou You-yi refused to debate, said very little about his policies and had numerous controversy issues regarding his handling of personal properties.  Mayor Ko also refused to debate during the campaign and gave the public a bad impression that he did little in the office in the past four years.   Regardless of their shortcomings, both won the election.   Many political observers tried to figure out what cause the defeat of DPP.  It appears that Tsai Ing-wen pushed “reform” too hard was the number one factor resulted in defeat.  It was very obvious that voters displeased with Tsai administration’ performance.  They complained either doing too much or not enough.   At the end , the majority of voters decided to teach Tsai a lesson and make a change.  KMT Legislator Ko Chih-en said that the elections represented a failure of DPP, but not a victory for KMT.  The KMT must not misread the situation and must continue to reform itself to win back votes from the DPP.   After the elections, the U.S. State Department praised Taiwan on the smooth completion of the latest local nine-in-one government elections.  The Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also praised Taiwan for its local government elections, calling them an example of democracy in action for the Indo-Pacific region.

Institute for Taiwanese Studies (ITS) will host a symposium titled “A review of current vital Taiwan-US relation issues & midterm elections in Taiwan and US” on November 3, 2018. The afternoon events will feature four speakers with in-depth analysis of different topics. Dr. Kharis Ali Templeman, research scholar from Stanford University, will present his view on Tsai Administration’s performance.  The topic is “Up. Down, or Out? : Evaluating the Tsai Administration’s accomplishments at midterm”.  “What is the US role in the Taiwan Strait?” will be the topic of Derek Grossman, senior defense analyst, Rand Corp..  The second part of the event will focus on midterm elections.  The analysis of upcoming Taiwan’s midterm elections will be presented by Dr. Simon Lin, former chairman, The Great Los Angeles Taiwan Center.  The fourth speaker will be Adolf Huang, president, ITS.  He will touch on November US midterm elections.   Wencheng Lin, chairman, ITS, will moderate the discussion.  The event is open to the public from 1:30pm to 5pm at LA Taiwan Center, 3001 Walnut Grove Ave. , Rosemead, CA.

President Tsai Ing-wen delivered her address toward the crowd during the ceremony of Taiwan’s national day on October 10, 2018. Tsai emphasized the government will continue to safeguard Taiwan, maintain stability across the Taiwan Strait and ensure the country’s sustainability. The following is the highlight of her speech, titled ‘Democratic Taiwan lights up the world”.

In the past year, all countries have been tested by the changing international landscape, and Taiwan is no exception. The government is constantly looking for opportunities within these challenges, and our country’s optimal strategic position and path to the future in a changing world.   The US-China trade dispute has led to a restructuring of the global industrial division of labor, with repercussion for the existing economic and trade war.  For some time now, China’s unilateral diplomatic offensive and military coercion have not only harmed cross-strait relations.  They have also seriously challenged the status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.  The more dramatically things change, the more Taiwan has to maintain stability, remain composed to reduce pressure, and calmly find our survival niche.   The people of Taiwan will never accept any attempt by external forces to unilaterally change the cross-strait status quo.  And the international community will never approve of and support the violation of universal values.  Son once again, I am calling on the authorities in Beijing, as a responsible major power, to play a positive role in the region and the world, instead of being a source of conflict.  In a world of dramatic change, we will continue to make Taiwan stronger, and irreplaceable in the global community.  

Current challenges to our national security go beyond traditional defense and military security.   Diplomatic pressure, social infiltration, and economic security are all potential threats.  Our current priority is to formulate an overall strategy, and bolster our national security.   The first element in fortifying our national security is to strengthen value-based diplomatic links.    The second is to upgrade our national defense capabilities.  The third is to prevent foreign powers from infiltrating and subverting our society.  The fourth is to realign and rearrange our global economic and trade strategy.  We have always believed that our distinctive resilience allows Taiwanese to respond to never-ending internal and external challenges by coming together to make this country better.

Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO), Ed Markey (D-MA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Bob Menendez (R-NJ) introduced the “Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (Taipei) Act” on September 3, 2018.  According to the press release from Gardner’s office, this legislation (Taipei Act) is intended to strengthen Taiwan’s standing around the world and comes in response to several nations breaking official diplomatic ties with Taiwan, due to Chinese pressure and bullying tactics.  The Taipei Act requires a U.S. strategy to engage with governments around the world to support Taiwan’s diplomatic recognition or strengthening unofficial ties with Taiwan.   Since president Tsai took office in May 2016, several countries have switched diplomatic recognition to Beijing.  These countries are Sao Tome and Principe, Panama, Dominican, Burkina Faso and El Salvador.   China’s actions clearly violated the so called “Status Quote”, an unofficial agreement of cease-fire on independent movement, unificationthreat, no military attack and no changes of diplomatic partners.    The Taipei Act authorizes US Department of State to downgrade US relations with any government that takes adverse action regarding Taiwan, including suspending or altering foreign assistance, such as military financing.   Senator Gardner said “The United States will use every tool to support Taiwan’s standing on the international stage.   This bipartisan legislation demands a whole-of-government approach to stand up to China’s bullying tactics against Taiwan, and will send a strong message to those nations considering siding with China over Taiwan that there will be consequences for such actions”.    Senator Markey said “Beijing is promising paydays to governments to entice them to cut diplomatic relations with Taiwan.  Without a coherent U.S. strategy to push back, Taiwan’s official partners might drop from 17 to zero.  We must stand up for our friends in Taiwan”.    Senator Rubio said “China’s insidious agenda to isolate Taiwan cannot go unanswered, and I call on my colleagues to quickly pass this bill”.   Senator Menendez said “As Taiwan’s closest international partner, the United States must not waiver on our enduring commitment to the wellbeing of the people of Taiwan, to their security through diplomacy, and to their ability to defend and protect their future”.  In response to the legislation, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Presidential Office expressed gratitude for the senators’ long-term support.

The USC US-China Institute hosted a panel discussion “A time of uncertainty in US-Taiwan-China relations” on August 24.  Panel I had three speakers: Tom Hollihan on “Chaos and Disorder: Foreign Policy in the Trump Era”; Charles I-hsin Chen “The Last Link in the Cross-Strait Chain” and Stanley Rosen on “China’s Soft Power Efforts toward Taiwan”.   Derek Grossman and Kwei-bo Huang joined the second panel.   Grossman’s topic is “How serious are Beijing’s threat?’, while Chen talked about “Love from the US: How should Taiwan understand the support of the US?”   Clayton Dube moderated the sessions.

On August 1, the U.S. Senate passed its final version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the fiscal year of 2019, which includes several provisions to improve Taiwan's defense capabilities to counter China's increasing military muscle.  The NDAA sailed through the Senate 87-10, a week after the House passed an identical version of the bill on July 26.  On August 13, U.S. President Trump signed the US$716 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the fiscal year of 2019.  The NDAA, officially now known as the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2019, for ailing Senator John McCain.  The final version of bill contains two sections (Section 1257 and Section 1258) requiring a strengthening of Taiwan’s defense and expanding cooperation between US and Taiwan..

The followings are the full texts of Section 1257 and Section 1258:

SEC. 1257. STRENGTHENING TAIWAN’S FORCE READINESS.

(a) Defense Assessment.—The Secretary of Defense shall, in consultation with appropriate counterparts of Taiwan, conduct a comprehensive assessment of Taiwan’s military forces, particularly Taiwan’s reserves. The assessment shall provide recommendations to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, readiness, and resilience of Taiwan’s self-defense capability in the following areas:

(1) Personnel management and force development, particularly reserve forces.

(2) Recruitment, training, and military programs.

(3) Command, control, communications and intelligence.

(4) Technology research and development.

(5) Defense article procurement and logistics.

(6) Strategic planning and resource management.

(b) Report Required.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report containing each of the following:

(A) A summary of the assessment conducted pursuant to subsection (a).

(B) A list of any recommendations resulting from such assessment.

(C) A plan for the United States, including by using appropriate security cooperation authorities, to—

(i) facilitate any relevant recommendations from such list;

(ii) expand senior military-to-military engagement and joint training by the United States Armed Forces with the military of Taiwan; and

(iii) support United States foreign military sales and other equipment transfers to Taiwan, particularly for developing asymmetric warfare capabilities.

(2) APPROPRIATE SECURITY COOPERATION AUTHORITIES.—For purposes of the plan described in paragraph (1)(C), the term “appropriate security cooperation authorities” means—

(A) section 311 of title 10, United States Code (relating to exchange of defense personnel);

(B) section 332 such title (relating to defense institution building); and

(C) other security cooperation authorities under chapter 16 of such title.

(3) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES.—In this subsection, the term “appropriate congressional committees” means—

(A) the congressional defense committees; and

(B) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives

SEC. 1258. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON TAIWAN.

It is the sense of Congress that—

(1) the Taiwan Relations Act (22 U.S.C. 3301 et seq.) and the “Six Assurances” are both cornerstones of United States relations with Taiwan;

(2) the United States should strengthen defense and security cooperation with Taiwan to support the development of capable, ready, and modern defense forces necessary for Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability;

(3) the United States should strongly support the acquisition by Taiwan of defensive weapons through foreign military sales, direct commercial sales, and industrial cooperation, with a particular emphasis on asymmetric warfare and undersea warfare capabilities, consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act;

(4) the United States should improve the predictability of arms sales to Taiwan by ensuring timely review of and response to requests of Taiwan for defense articles and defense services;

(5) the Secretary of Defense should promote Department of Defense policies concerning exchanges that enhance the security of Taiwan, including—

(A) opportunities for practical training and military exercises with Taiwan; and

(B) exchanges between senior defense officials and general officers of the United States and Taiwan consistent with the Taiwan Travel Act (Public Law 115–135);

(6) the United States and Taiwan should expand cooperation in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief; and

(7) the Secretary of Defense should consider supporting the visit of a United States hospital ship to Taiwan as part of the annual “Pacific Partnership” mission in order to improve disaster response planning and preparedness as well as to strengthen cooperation between the United States and Taiwan.

The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) held an event to celebrate the release of Michal Mazza’s report “Am American Strategy for Southeast Asia” on August 7, 2018.     The organizer invited three panelists (Cara Abercrombie, Walter Lohman, and Michael Mazza) to discuss how the US can implement a new vision for a free and prosperous indo-Pacific.    The panel was moderated by Dan Blumenthal.  Before panel discussion, Randall Schriver, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security, delivered a keynote speech.     The following is an event description provided by AEI: “In the wake of the “trade war” with China and drama on the Korean Peninsula, Southeast Asia often escapes notice.  But this vital corner of the world cannot become a sideshow.   Certainly, Southeast Asia’s tremendous economic and strategic potential is not lost on China, which has tried to bring the region under its influence.  And Chinese aggression is only the start; terrorism and democratic backsliding also threaten the region.  The need for strong partnership in Southeast Asia has never been greater.”    Shriver opened with an overview of the United States’ strategy in the Indo-Pacific region and how the Department of Defense’ efforts were crucial to a “free and open” region.   Mazza emphasized the importance of an open, peaceful, and prosperous Southeast Asia that demonstrates good governance.     Blumenthal said that ultimately, the United States will need to compete with Chine4se influence in the region.

The Heritage Foundation held a one-day conference titled “Opportunities and Challenges of Cross-Strait Relations” on July 18, 2018.   The conference was co-hosted by Taiwan Foundation for Democracy.     As described by the organizer, “Relations between Taiwan and China over the last couple of years have been very challenging.   China is very actively challenging Taiwan across the range of its national power, conducting military exercises off its coasts, pulling away its diplomatic allies, barring its meaningful participation in international organizations.  What is the impetus behind this new aggressive approach and where is it headed?  What can Taiwan and its friends and allies due to mitigate the pressure on it?”  During the full-day session, the organizer invited 18 experts (7 from Taiwan) to present their views in three panels and roundtable.  In addition, the morning keynote was presented by Chen ming-tong. Mainland Affairs Council Minister, Taiwan; Luncheon keynote by Representative Ted Yoho, Chairman, Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the afternoon keynote by Randy Schriver, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asia and Pacific Security Affairs.  The topics for each panel are: Panel I “China under Xi Jinping”; Panel II “US-China Relations: Implications for Taiwan’s Security and Democr5acy”; and Panel III: “Cross-Strait Relations and Strategic Impact”.