Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Three misconceptions about Taiwan’s defense

Miles Yu

The Chinese Communist Party is waging a cognitive war against Taiwan that is presently in full swing. In this effort it is taking advantage of Taiwan’s free-media environment, which makes it all too easy for many people to fall into the public opinion traps the CCP sets up. As a result, people — some unwittingly — spread malicious rumors, echo China’s false narratives, bamboozle some in Taiwan into believing these deepfakes about their country. All of this is detrimental to Taiwan’s democratic and free system, and to the future of the island democracy.

Beijing’s cognitive war has cultivated three major misconceptions among some Taiwanese people. To win that war, these falsehoods must be understood and combated.

Barring Ye’s entry right decision

Huang Di-ying 黃帝穎

Former Chinese State Administration for Religious Affairs director Ye Xiaowen (葉小文) applied to enter Taiwan on the pretext of offering his condolences over the death of Buddhist master Hsing Yun (星雲法師). Ye’s application was rejected by the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), a decision applauded by a group of lawyers representing the Falun Gong.

The government’s move to bar Ye from visiting Taiwan is “absolutely legitimate and reasonable,” as Ye has been involved in genocide and “crimes against humanity,” the group said in a statement.

‘One China’ and changing times

Taipei Times Editorials

China says that it has official diplomatic relations with 181 countries on the basis of its “one China” principle, but a study published by a National University of Singapore (NUS) academic found that only 51 countries fully comply with Beijing’s definition of “one China.”

As China ups its intimidation of Taiwan, more countries are taking a clearer stance, defining Taiwan as an independent sovereign nation separate from the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

Taiwan needs a Ukraine strategy

Daniel F. Runde

Taiwan’s survival is directly connected to that of Ukraine. If Russia is perceived as “winning” in Ukraine, meaning that it annexes and holds significant parts of Ukraine with consequences Russia can accept, then China’s temptation to invade Taiwan might grow ever greater.

However, if Russia is defeated, then the Kremlin’s ability to assist Beijing during an invasion would be dramatically reduced, and it would serve as an example to China about taking big military risks against Taiwan.

Therefore, Taiwan should help Ukraine, because it is in Taiwan’s direct interest to do so. Taiwan needs a soft power strategy to help Ukraine against Russia.

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