The Russia’s war in Ukraine brought lots of attention in Taiwan because both Taiwan and Ukraine faced an aggressive neighbor.  It’s nothing new that China threatened Taiwan all the time and repeatedly claimed that China would use force to take over Taiwan.  Even though China spent billions to strengthen their military force, it is the fact that China still not strong enough to launch a meaningful attack on Taiwan.   For decades, with the help of US, Taiwan had already built up a strong military force which is good enough to fight against China.    “Today Ukraine, Tomorrow Taiwan.” is a catchphrase that has emerged over the last two months.     As reported in Taiwan’s media, China might seriously take some sort of aggressive actions against Taiwan in the coming months.  Some experts agreed that China has the capability to attack Taiwan anytime, but not ready for launching a full-scale war toward Taiwan.  Recently, the Taiwan government said it will not start a war with China but will itself “full on”.   It is no secret that military tensions with China, are at their worst in more than 40 years.  Almost daily, China mounted mass air force incursions into Taiwan's air defense identification zone that was part of a pattern of what Taipei views as stepped-up military harassment by Beijing.  Although no shots have been fired and China's aircraft have stayed well away from Taiwan's airspace most time.  The day after Russian’s invasion, Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen described the situation Taiwan faces as “fundamentally different” while Cabinet spokesperson Lo Ping-cheng said it was “inappropriate” and “demoralizing” to claim that Taiwan would be next.  Recently, a poll conducted by Institute for National Defense and Security Research found that about 73 percent of Taiwanese would fight for their nation in the event of a Chinese invasion.

In early March, President Tsai met former US top officials in Taipei.   First, US President Joe Biden sent a delegation of former senior defense and security officials to Taiwan.  The visit, led by one-time chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mike Mullen, came at a time when Taiwan has stepped up its alert level, wary of China taking advantage of a distracted West dealing with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.   Mullen, a retired navy admiral who served as the top US military officer under former US presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, was accompanied by four top former senior defense and security officials, including Meghan O’Sullivan, a former deputy national security adviser under Bush; Michele Flournoy, a former undersecretary of defense under Obama; and two former National Security Council senior directors for Asia, Mike Green and Evan Medeiros.    Referring to the delegation led by Mullen, the senior administration official said: “The selection of these five individuals sends an important signal about the bipartisan US commitment to Taiwan and its democracy, and demonstrates that the Biden administration’s broader commitment to Taiwan remains rock solid.”   The delegation met with President Tsai Ing-wen, Minister of National Defense Chiu Kuo-cheng and Premier Su Tseng-chang to discuss regional peace and stability, Taiwan-US relations and various areas of bilateral cooperation, the government said.

Pompeo was accompanied by his wife, Susan Pompeo; his former adviser on China policy, Miles Yu; and nine other people.   During his four-day trip, Pompeo and his wife met with senior government officials and business people before he gave a speech organized by the government-affiliated Prospect Foundation.   President Tsai Ing-wen awarded a special honor to the visiting former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo in recognition of his contributions to promoting closer ties between Washington and Taipei during his tenure.   Tsai praised Pompeo’s groundbreaking measures in lifting US Department of State restrictions on how US officials interact with their Taiwanese counterparts in the absence of official ties, and facilitating high-level visits by US officials.  Regarding his decision to end restrictions on exchanges between diplomats, Pompeo said it was a “simple, right and proper” decision to make.   It was not partisan or political, but represented “American commitments,” he said, adding that it had been in his country’s best interests, and in the interest of securing and building on the friendship between the nations.

On Feb. 4, 2022, the US House of Representatives passed a bill “The America COMPETES Act of 2022 “  aimed at increasing U.S. economic competitiveness with China.  The House bill also includes some pro-Taiwan provisions previously initiated by lawmakers.  These include the draft “Taiwan Fellowship Act,” “Taiwan Diplomatic Review Act,” “Taiwan Peace and Stability Act,” and “Taiwan International Solidarity Act,” as well as “Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act.” The America Competes Act of 2022 is an omnibus bill, which would devote nearly a quarter of a trillion dollars to subsidize domestic semiconductor manufacturing and research on artificial intelligence, quantum computing and other critical technologies. The House bill incorporates key elements of a bill that passed the Senate last year.  The Taiwan Diplomatic Review Act asks the US secretary of state to negotiate a name change for the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the US, Taiwan’s de facto embassy in Washington.  The House vote took place hours after the opening ceremony for the Beijing Winter Olympics, amid criticism in the US Congress of the International Olympic Committee for awarding the Games to China.  Human rights groups have long criticized China’s rights record, allegations China denies.    The bill’s passage by the House set up negotiations with the US Senate on a compromise version of the legislation, which must pass both chambers before it can be sent to the White House for US President Joe Biden to sign.    The Senate passed its own bill — the “US Innovation and Competition Act” — by 68 to 32 in June last year.   After the vote Biden urged quick action in a statement praising what he called “vital” legislation.    In Taipei, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs thanked the US Congress for its continuous efforts to deepen Taiwan-US relations through legislation and other actions that demonstrate strong support for Taiwan.

US President Joe Biden held a「Summit for Democracy」session in White House.  The event lasted for three days, from December 8 to 10.  US invited over hundred countries to participate the event.  Minister Without Portfolio Audrey Tang represented Taiwan. Tang was one of the speakers on Panel Discussion – Countering Digital Authoritarianism and Affirming Democratic Values .

The followings are event schedules.

Day Zero – December 8, 2021

Media Freedom and Sustainability, Co-hosted with the Netherlands

Young Democratic Leaders Discussion

Private Sector Forum: Our Business Too: Democracy & Private Enterprise Delivering Together

PANEL 1: Responsible Investment; PANEL 2: Beneficial Ownership; PANEL 3: Open and Resilient Digital Space

Empowering Prosperity: Advancing the Status of Women to Advance the State of Democracy, Co-hosted with Sweden

PANEL 1: Championing Women’s Political and Civic Participation and Leadership as the Lifeblood of Democracy; PANEL 2: Breaking Down Barriers: Countering Gender-Based Violence in all its Forms

Panel Discussion on Democracy-Affirming Technology: How Innovation Can Be Used to support Democratic Values

Panel Discussion: A Conversation on the Future of the Internet

Voices of Political Prisoners, Co-hosted with Lithuania

Day One – December 9, 2021

Opening Remarks (Biden)

Leaders’ Plenary Session (Biden, closed door)

Leaders’ Plenary Session (closed door)

Remarks – Bolstering Democratic Resilience

Panel Discussion – Bolstering Democratic Resilience: Building Back Better Together from COVID-19

Inter-Session Remarks

Remarks – Preventing and Countering Corruption

Panel Discussion – Preventing and Countering Corruption

Remarks by Republican and Democratic Governors

Closing Remarks

Day Two – December 10, 2021

Opening Remarks

Remarks – Protecting Human Rights

Panel Discussion – Expanding Civic Space: Empowering Human Rights Defenders and Independent Media Within and Across Borders

Inter-Session Remarks

Remarks – Strengthening Democracy and Defending Against Authoritarianism

Panel Discussion – Protecting Democratic Institutions: Elections, the Rule of Law, and a Resilient Information Space

Remarks – Technology for Democracy

Panel Discussion – Countering Digital Authoritarianism and Affirming Democratic Values

Youth Town Hall

Closing Remarks (Biden)

CNN conducted an exclusive interview with Taiwan’s president Tsai Ing-wen in Taipei on October 26, 2021.   This is the first time in two year that president Tsai accepted a face-to-face interview.   The interview covered a wide range of topics.   President Tsai confirmed the presence of US military trainers on the island.    President Tsai’s remark brought global attention.    During the interview, President Tsai Ing-wen said Taiwan was a "beacon" of democracy that needed to be defended to uphold faith worldwide in democratic values.  "Here is this island of 23 million people trying hard every day to protect ourselves and protect our democracy and making sure that our people have the kind of freedom they deserve," she said.    Tsai wouldn't say exactly how many US military personnel are on the island at present but said it was "not as many as people thought." "We have a wide range of cooperation with the US aiming at increasing our defense capability," she said.  Speaking to CNN Tuesday, Tsai called on regional democratic partners, including Japan, South Korea and Australia, to help support the island.  "When authoritarian regimes demonstrate expansionist tendencies, democratic countries should come together to stand against them. Taiwan is on the front lines," she said.

The 37th annual Han Kuang military exercises officially began on September 13, 2021. The five-day live-fire drills are Taiwan's major war games involving all military branches. It tested the armed forces' capability to fend off a Chinese invasion.  The first day’s drills were focused on testing the military's preservation and maintenance of combat capabilities in the event of a full-scale Chinese invasion.   As part of the drills, Air Force fighter jets F-16Vs and Mirage 2000s,that were originally deployed in the western part of the island, were dispatched to Hualien Air Base in the east in a simulation of a Chinese invasion.   Military C-130 transport aircraft and IDF jets also participated the drills.  It was reported that all of the nation's major naval vessels also left their home ports and sailed to designated locations off the island's coast in preparation for confronting enemy forces.  In addition, a biological agent containment exercise was held in southern Tainan City, in response to a mock assault where troops were attacked by bioweapons.

Soldiers were promptly sent to nearby hospitals to be treated by civilian doctors. The military also rehearsed its procedures for the decontamination of vehicles and equipment during the Tainan drill.  A military aircraft emergency landing and take-off drill was held on a standard highway in southern Taiwan for the first time on September 15.  According to the military, the drill tests pilots' ability to land on the 24-meter wide road in the event airstrips at the nearby Pingtung Air Base are seriously damaged by enemy forces. 

The drill was witnessed by President Tsai Ing-wen, Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng, senior government and military officials and the press.  The last day of military exercises included a drill to test the counterstrike capabilities of IDF.  After the end of the drills, Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng passed on President Tsai Ing-wen's encouragement to the armed forces for their hard work during the exercises.

As the 2020 Tokyo Olympics came to an end, Taiwan had won a total of 12 medals, including 2 golds, 4 silvers, and 6 bronzes.   Taiwan’s record-breaking performance has put a spotlight on the name of its delegation at international competitions like the Olympics.  For decades, the team Taiwan has been competed under the name "Chinese Taipei" at the Olympics.    Why 'Chinese Taipei?'     It is a very strange name only few know what’s going on.   As a matter of fact, this is a result of the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) decision to recognize Beijing over Taipei in the 1970s, which barred Taiwan from competing in the Olympics as a country.    In 1981, Taiwan reached a compromise with the IOC to compete under the name "Chinese Taipei," which essentially prevented Taiwan from presenting itself as a sovereign state. This also meant that Taiwan is barred from using its official flag or national anthem at the Olympics. Instead, Taiwan plays a flag-raising song and waves a white flag that carries the Olympic rings.    Even though “Chinese Taipei” was used in the IOC’s official publications and announcements, many foreign media preferred to use Taiwan rather than Chinese Taipei.   The ridiculous Taiwan’s team name brought attention to the international media.   The BBC explained the various names that Taiwan’s Olympic team has used over the years.   Beijing responded furiously to it.   It is time for IOC to seriously look into the core issue: is it fair to call Taiwan’s Olympic team as Chinese Taipei?   Taiwan is an independent country, not a part of China.      Under the pressure from China, IOC might delay reviewing name issue.     However, Taiwan government should actively asked for a name changing.  The first choice is “Taiwan”.  The compromised change could be “Taiwanese Olympic Committee” (TOC).  

Japan’s government shipped 1.24 million doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to Taiwan on June 4, 2021.  According to the report, Japan's government also has agreed in principle to provide excess vaccines to other countries or regions.   Taiwan is the first country selected by Japan to receive the doses.  Vietnam will receive the donation later.  In addition, Japan will donate 30 million doses of vaccines to the developing countries.   The sources said Taiwan has privately asked Japan for help on the supply of vaccines and the Japanese government agreed, considering it as a show of gratitude for Taiwan's assistance to Japan in 2011, when a strong quake hit northeastern Japan, according to the report.  Even though, Taiwan contacted Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca last year regarding the purchase of vaccines.   However, the deliveries were delayed for different reasons.    Taiwan blamed Beijing's obstruction in Taiwan's attempts to buy the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine from its German manufacturer.  It was very fortunate that Japan was willing to provide vaccines so soon.  As a matter of fact, the AstraZeneca vaccines, which shipped to Taiwan, are part of the stocks that are not included in Japan's public vaccination program.   Over the past several weeks, Taiwan's domestic COVID-19 infections have surged to more than thirteen thousands. The number of confirmed COVID-19 deaths in the country has risen to over four hundreds, according to Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) data.   The rapid spread of the virus was partially blamed on the low vaccination rate in Taiwan.  Taiwanese were grateful that Japan government offered a timely help.   In the mean time, The United States pledged to donate 750,000 COVID-19 vaccines to Taiwan.  The specific size of the pledge was confirmed during a brief visit to Taiwan by American senators Tammy Duckworth, Dan Sullivan and Christopher Coons.   Senator Duckworth made the announcement during her speech.  Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen met American senators at Taipei’ Songshan Airport.

The Halifax International Security Forum (HFX) announced on May 3, 2021 that it will give this year’s John McCain Prize for Leadership in Public Service to President Tsai Ing-wen, citing her resistance to aggression from Beijing.   Despite pressure from the Canadian government, HFX decided to honor President Tsai.    “President Tsai is an inspiration and an example to freedom-loving people everywhere,” said forum chair Peter Van Praagh. “His courage and courage in standing up for his people against aggression by the Chinese Communist Party are precisely the qualities that the John McCain Prize was designed to recognize.”     The award is presented annually at the forum event in Halifax, but the 2020 conference has been canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.   Van Praagh said the forum will present the award to Tsai in person at a ceremony to be scheduled “in due course”.   In addition, the forum hailed Tsai with the release of a video calling her “another champion of freedom.” The video features news clips that portray her as arguably the most powerful Chinese-speaking politician in the world.    “I want to assure people that we won’t escalate the confrontation and give up,” Tsai said in a speech from the video.    After receiving a formal announcement from HFX, President Tsai responded with the following messages.

“Thank you to the Halifax International Security Forum for the honour of being awarded the John McCain Prize for Leadership in Public Service. However, this award does not belong to me alone, but to all the people of Taiwan.

The late John McCain was widely respected US senator. He spent his life fighting for freedom and democracy, and was committed to ensuring Taiwan’s security. Senator McCain was an old friend of mine and a true friend to Taiwan. This award, named in his memory, is a symbol of the high regard the international community has for Taiwan’s democracy.

A united Taiwan must remain dedicated to protecting our democracy and fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, while working as a force for good to make the world a better place. We continue to show that freedom and democracy are the core values that define our country.”

For the last three months, the Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) in an amazing escalating rate.    Recently, twenty Chinese military aircraft entered ADIZ in the largest incursion yet reported by Taiwan.   The People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft involved in the mission included J-16 multirole fighters, J-10 multirole fighters, nuclear-capable H-6K bombers ,Y-8 anti-submarine warfare plane, KJ-500 airborne early warning and control plane and others.   The island’s defense ministry said the air force deployed missiles to “monitor” the incursion into the southwestern part of its ADIZ.   It also said each timeTaiwan sent its fighters to fly close to the Chinese planes and warned them to fly away by radio.   Taiwan’s defense ministry almost daily disclosed how Chinese military planes flew over the seas between the southern part of Taiwan and the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands in the South China Sea.   Several times, the Chinese aircraft flew in the airspace to the south of Taiwan and passed through the Bashi Channel.   The China’s actions mean there is a good possibility of clashing between Taiwan’s fighters and Chinese airplanes.   A small clash might turn into major conflicts.    According to Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration (CGA), China was likely conducting reconnaissance missions over the Dongsha Islands, as its drones were recently spotted near the Taiwan-held territory in the South China Sea.  The Dongsha Islands, also known as the Pratas, lie 450 kilometers southwest of Kaohsiung. They are one of two territories in the South China Sea that are controlled by Taiwan and manned by its CGA personnel, the other being Taiping Island.    Some military analysts in Taiwan believe that such flyovers may be part of a strategy by Beijing to project an impression that the airspace is its own backyard that it can frequent anytime it wishes.