Taiwan/Flag of the Republic of China. On January 11, 2023, at a military base in Kaohsiung, Taiwan's armed forces conducted a two-day routine exercise. (Annabelle Chih/Getty Images)
[People News] Former President of the Republic of China, Tsai Ing-wen, delivered a speech at Stanford University during her visit to the United States, highlighting that Taiwan faces complex threats from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on a daily basis. With a robust autonomous industrial chain in sectors such as semiconductors and drones, Taiwan is a crucial partner for global security and supply chains. She expressed her hope that democratic partners will leverage their respective strengths to collaborate with Taiwan in creating a more resilient supply chain.
As reported by The Dajiyuan, former President Tsai Ing-wen attended the Stanford DEFCON '2026 Technology and National Security Symposium' at Stanford University on the 7th, where she delivered the opening speech titled 'Building Security Together: Taiwan’s Role in Global Stability.'
Taiwan faces complex threats from the Chinese Communist Party every day.
Tsai Ing-wen emphasized, 'The challenges we face today can no longer be distinctly categorized. Technology and national security are now intertwined; economic resilience depends on supply chains, industrial capabilities, and access to critical technologies. Many issues that were once primarily addressed by the government now require broader involvement from industry, researchers, investors, and civil society. In other words, in the Indo-Pacific region where military power, technology, economic security, and democratic resilience intersect, determining how to maintain peace is one of the most pressing questions we face today.'
Tsai Ing-wen stated, "The security environment today is markedly different from what it was a few years ago. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has reminded us that even in a world where economies are highly interdependent, large-scale wars can still occur. Recent conflicts have demonstrated that while advanced weapons can be consumed rapidly, replenishing them takes significantly longer."
She continued, "Simultaneously, technology is transforming the nature of security competition. Developments in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, drones, cyber capabilities, and communication technologies are advancing at an unprecedented pace, while traditional government decision-making and procurement processes often lag behind. For democratic nations, determination, resources, and robust strategies remain essential. However, these alone are no longer sufficient. Security increasingly hinges on our ability to convert these commitments into tangible capabilities and the speed at which we can achieve this."
"For Taiwan, this challenge is especially pressing," Tsai Ing-wen remarked. "We confront cyberattacks, cognitive warfare, information manipulation, economic coercion, and attempts to undermine critical infrastructure on a daily basis. Chinese military aircraft and naval vessels frequently operate in the vicinity of Taiwan, and coast guard and other activities have become increasingly prevalent in our surrounding waters."
The grey zone operations of the Chinese Communist Party aim to alter the security environment in the Taiwan Strait.
Tsai Ing-wen emphasized that these activities are often intentionally designed to avoid escalating into open conflict. 'The aim of grey zone operations is to raise our costs, test our reactions, and gradually alter the security environment surrounding Taiwan, all while steering clear of the political and military repercussions associated with open confrontation. Thus, for Taiwan, maintaining peace cannot solely involve preparations for a large-scale military conflict. We must consistently respond to these pressures while upholding our confidence and freedom of action; at the same time, we must continue to enhance our self-defense capabilities to counter the potential failure of deterrence.'
Furthermore, she noted that this issue also encompasses a broader regional context. The Taiwan Strait is one of the world's most crucial trade and energy transport routes, and Taiwan is deeply embedded in the global technology and manufacturing networks. Should a significant disruption occur, the repercussions would resonate throughout the Indo-Pacific region and even beyond.
Taiwan's defense strategy balances asymmetric warfare with peacetime readiness, showcasing its commitment to self-defense.
Tsai Ing-wen remarked that in preparing for possible challenges in the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan has previously engaged in extensive discussions on how to strike a balance between traditional military capabilities and smaller, more agile, and decentralized systems. Many of these ideas have since gained wider acceptance and have shaped Taiwan's current approach to defense.
She stated that a democratic nation facing long-term pressure cannot prepare for just one scenario; it must simultaneously tackle various forms of risk. Taiwan requires a substantial number of small, survivable, and decentralized systems that can continue functioning even when attacked. Concurrently, Taiwan must also manage ongoing pressures that do not reach the threshold of open conflict.
"These challenges necessitate different responses," said Tsai Ing-wen. "When confronted with grey zone pressures, we cannot rely solely on capabilities designed primarily for wartime. We also need a continuous presence, surveillance capabilities, maintenance, and the ability to prove to the outside world that Taiwan can still operate normally despite the surrounding pressures."
Tsai Ing-wen remarked that some decisions aimed at enhancing security are politically challenging. In December 2022, her government announced an extension of the mandatory military service period from 4 months to 1 year. This reform is essential, as Taiwan must demonstrate its credibility in self-defense and its ongoing commitment. Another significant decision that requires similar resolve is the indigenous submarine program. Taiwan's first domestically produced submarine, the "Hai Kun," has successfully completed 17 test dives, and overall testing is approaching completion.
She stated that hardware and military capabilities are merely components of deterrence. A society that faces prolonged pressure must still be able to operate normally; resilience is essential in areas such as communication, energy, hospitals, public services, and the ability to access reliable information. During her presidency, 'we began to regard cybersecurity as an integral part of national security, allocating more resources to enhance society's capacity to confront crises, and collaborating with civil society to combat misinformation and information manipulation.'
Tsai Ing-wen remarked, 'We are increasingly recognizing that public trust in the system is a fundamental aspect of national resilience, and this trust cannot be built only in the aftermath of a crisis. This is crucial because authoritarian forces often take advantage of the openness in democratic societies to create divisions and erode trust. Even if a country possesses the most advanced weaponry, if its system is unstable, essential services fail to function, or if the populace loses faith in one another and the government, even the strongest military capabilities cannot fully address the situation. In other words, deterrence encompasses the capabilities of the entire nation, not just the military.'
'Today, many international news reports still portray Taiwan as a place with security risks or one that requires assistance from other countries. However, this perspective only captures part of the reality.' Tsai Ing-wen emphasized, 'We are among the few democratic nations capable of genuinely increasing manufacturing capacity and addressing supply chain issues, rather than merely being a country in need of security support.'
Tsai Ing-wen emphasized that the most well-known example is semiconductors, but Taiwan's significance goes beyond just the chips themselves. For example, the United States currently holds about three-quarters of the global AI computing power, and nearly all of the advanced chips used in these systems are manufactured by Taiwanese companies. Furthermore, around 90% of the AI servers that utilize these chips are also produced by Taiwanese enterprises.
She noted that, in other words, a large part of today's AI development relies on Taiwan's manufacturing capabilities. Additionally, Taiwan's role is not limited to semiconductors. For AI to operate effectively, it requires many other components, including manufacturing equipment and materials, servers, communication devices, cooling and power systems, as well as various essential components. Taiwanese companies are significantly involved in all these sectors. Satellites serve as another example; this industry is experiencing rapid growth, and Taiwanese companies have long been key suppliers of the RF chips and circuit boards necessary for satellites and communication systems.
"These technologies are also directly linked to security," Tsai Ing-wen stated. "Because today, many technologies are difficult to distinctly classify as 'civilian' or 'military.'" However, even the most advanced technology is ineffective if it cannot be produced in adequate quantities, quickly adjusted, or delivered when needed. Modern weapon systems can change significantly within just a few months. The ability to rapidly adjust and produce is exactly the capability that Taiwan's industry has developed over decades.
She provided an example, stating, "During the pandemic, we witnessed this kind of capability." In early 2020, Taiwan struggled to produce enough surgical masks for its own needs. However, over 80 machine tool companies collaborated to establish 92 mask production lines in less than 40 days, enabling Taiwan to swiftly become one of the world's key mask production hubs. The crucial point is not the total number of masks produced, but rather how quickly Taiwan can mobilize when the government, businesses, engineers, and suppliers share a common goal. This capacity for rapid adjustment and problem-solving is exactly what many future safety technologies will demand.
Taiwan is an essential partner in the democratic supply chain.
Tsai Ing-wen remarked, "What we truly need to do is create a cooperative network. Each democratic nation contributes its strongest capabilities, reducing excessive dependence on a single source, and ensuring that when supply chains are disrupted, or security situations change, we still have the capacity to respond collectively. In certain sectors, Taiwan is an indispensable component for making this network function effectively."
She cited drones as an example. Currently, over 200 Taiwanese companies are engaged in this industry. The controllers, motors, cameras, and various electronic components required for drones are products that Taiwan excels in and can mass-produce. In the realm of counter-drone technology, Taiwan already possesses favorable conditions. Jammers, radars, and other anti-drone systems require specialized chips. Taiwan has competitive manufacturers capable of transforming partners' designs into actual products and can produce them at scale.
Tsai Ing-wen emphasized, "Taiwan is situated at the heart of the first island chain and is a crucial player in the global technology sector. Our geographic location, democratic system, technological prowess, and industrial strength together enable Taiwan to assume a role that is difficult to replace. A secure and resilient Taiwan helps maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Additionally, Taiwan's technological and industrial capabilities can enhance the safety and reliability of the global supply chain. Taiwan has long benefited from the international system, and today, we have both the ability and the responsibility to contribute more to it."
"Currently, many democratic nations are working to rebuild their manufacturing capabilities. This is not a task that any single country can achieve alone; it requires collective effort," Tsai Ing-wen remarked. "Taiwan should also be part of this process. There are not many democratic countries worldwide that can offer the capabilities that Taiwan has. In certain fields, finding alternatives is even quite challenging."
Tsai Ing-wen further stated, "Taiwan possesses advanced manufacturing capabilities, extensive process experience, skilled engineering talent, and a comprehensive electronic industry supply chain. More importantly, we have the capacity to transform complex designs into tangible products, doing so reliably, swiftly, and at scale. These capabilities are not something that can be quickly established by merely constructing a few factories; they represent decades of accumulated industrial strength."
Tsai Ing-wen stated, "Looking ahead, we should collaborate. By integrating our respective strengths, we can develop the industrial and technological capabilities essential for our shared security. Thus, if we aim to enhance the resilience of technology, industry, and security, Taiwan is not just a key partner but an essential one. Strengthening cooperation with Taiwan not only aids in bolstering its own security but also fosters greater stability in the Indo-Pacific region, thereby enhancing the overall resilience of democratic nations." △
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