Calls for Action
1. Democratic governments should recognise Taiwan as an independent/sovereign nation.
Officially, Taiwan is recognized as an independent sovereign state by only a limited number of countries due to the One-China policy adhered to by most nations. This policy recognizes the People's Republic of China (PRC) as the sole legal government of China, including Taiwan.
Taiwan plays a crucial role in maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. By engaging with Taiwan in joint exercises and security dialogues, countries can enhance regional security cooperation and deterrence against potential threats.
Taiwan is a thriving democracy with a strong commitment to human rights, rule of law, and democratic principles. Supporting Taiwan’s participation in international activities reinforces these shared values globally.
Taiwan is a major economic player with a highly developed and export-oriented economy. Including Taiwan in trade agreements and economic partnerships can create opportunities for mutual economic growth, innovation, and investment.
Taiwan has demonstrated expertise in various fields such as healthcare, technology, and scientific research. Collaborating with Taiwan in areas like public health, climate change, and technology can lead to valuable advancements and solutions with global benefits.
See Appendix I. How can democratic nations effectively collaborate to support Taiwan's sovereignty and deter Chinese aggression?
2. Members of legislative bodies in democratic nations, such as congresspersons, senators, and parliamentarians, should advocate for the passage of resolutions and legislation, such as US House Resolution 1176, that reaffirm Taiwan's status as a separate entity from China and challenge China's territorial claims.
Push for legislation that imposes targeted sanctions or trade measures against entities or individuals involved in coercive actions against Taiwan, sending a clear message of deterrence.
See Appendix I. What are the potential impacts of resolutions like US House Resolution 1176? How might such actions influence China's behavior?
Encourage UN Member States to reassess UN Resolution 2758 and recognize Taiwan's distinctive status, affirming its right to self-determination and advocating for its inclusion in international organizations.
See Appendix I. What changes the reevaluation of UN Resolution 2758?
3. Governments, NGOs, and media should collaborate on educational campaigns and media features to inform global citizens about Taiwan's situation, emphasizing the need to protect its democracy and self-determination. Leveraging social media can amplify these efforts, sharing stories and content to mobilize global support for Taiwan.
See Appendix i. How can educational initiatives and public awareness campaigns contribute to global understanding of Taiwan's situation and the importance of defending its democracy and self-determination? What strategies would be most effective in reaching a wide audience?
Main Outcomes:
Democratic nations should recognize Taiwan’s sovereignty and engage it in global activities based on its merits and contributions.
Legislators in democratic countries should push for resolutions and laws supporting Taiwan’s separate status and challenging China’s claims, including imposing targeted sanctions.
Collaborate on educational campaigns to inform the world about Taiwan’s situation, emphasizing its democracy and the need for support.Engage Taiwan in trade and economic partnerships for mutual benefit and innovation.
Reevaluate the resolution to potentially enhance Taiwan’s international participation and promote peaceful dialogue.
Strengthen cooperation against cyber threats and disinformation campaigns for regional stability.
See Appendix I for more details
Panel Discussion Summary
The discussion on "How to Protect Freedom in Taiwan" featured speakers from various backgrounds, including Vanessa Hope, Film director of "Invisible Nation"; Maysing Yang, human rights activist, democracy advocate and ambassador for Taiwan abroad; and Ming Chiang, president of Hello Taiwan. The speakers emphasised the importance of Taiwan's recognition and representation on the world stage, highlighting recent efforts to raise awareness through cinema and advocacy.
Vanessa Hope shared her experience screening a film about Taiwan's geo-political predicament for the German Parliament, underscoring the unexpected support received from German politicians and Taiwanese diplomats. The film aimed to shed light on Taiwan's sovereignty and dignity amid increasing threats from China and geopolitical challenges.The discussion highlighted Taiwan's firm rejection of the "one country, two systems" model proposed by China, citing the failure of this approach in Hong Kong as evidence of its unsuitability for Taiwan. The speakers expressed concerns about China's military buildup and its potential implications for Taiwan's security, particularly in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Regarding international support for Taiwan, speakers stressed the importance of solidarity among democratic countries and urged for greater diplomatic engagement to counter Chinese aggression. They discussed ongoing legislative efforts, such as US House Resolution 1176, which seeks to clarify Taiwan's status and challenge China's claims.The speakers also discuss UN Resolution 2758 and its impact on Taiwan's international representation, suggesting a need for reevaluation.
Maysing H. Yang initially expresses her concern about the major autopilot focus in media coverage and discusses how everything in government is influenced by politics. She emphasizes that while understanding the political landscape can be complex, individuals can still make a difference. Yang highlights the ongoing tensions involving Ukraine, Russia, China, Korea, and Taiwan, particularly focusing on China's historical claim over Taiwan and the challenges faced by Taiwanese diplomacy.
Vanessa Hope adds historical context, mentioning Mao Zedong and Chiang Kai Shek's roles in the Republic of China and Taiwan, and Nixon's One China policy. She discusses how Taiwan's status is intertwined with geopolitics and emphasizes the need for clarity in international policies regarding Taiwan's sovereignty.
Ming Chiang stresses the importance of democratic principles and international unity in supporting Taiwan's sovereignty. He mentions Taiwan's struggle against disinformation campaigns and the need for global awareness and action to protect Taiwan's democracy.
In conclusion, the discussion emphasised Taiwan's role as a beacon of democracy in the face of authoritarian threats. Speakers called for urgent action to defend Taiwan's freedom and sovereignty, drawing parallels to historical conflicts like the Cold War and stressing the need for multinational cooperation to safeguard Taiwan's future.