Key insights

• ⚔️ China's assertive behavior with neighboring countries has created tension and concerns about defending Taiwan
• 🛡️ NordVPN provides online security, access to global content, and privacy protection
• 🌊 China is increasing its territorial claims and engaging in conflicts in the South China Sea
• 🇹🇼 Taiwan faces a growing Chinese threat and questions US commitment to its defense
• 🇺🇸 U.S. Congress approved the Taiwan Relations Act reaffirming commitments to Taiwan
• 💰 Taiwan's defense budget is significantly smaller compared to China's, raising doubts about its military effectiveness
• 🏹 Taiwan needs to reorient its military strategy to focus on asymmetric warfare and guerrilla tactics
• 🌍 Uncertainty about the international community's response to safeguarding Taiwan's independence

Q&A

• What is recommended for Taiwan to defend against China?

  Taiwan needs to focus on asymmetric warfare and guerrilla tactics as part of its military strategy to defend against China. It also faces uncertainty about the international community's role in safeguarding its independence.

• How does Taiwan's military capacity compare to China's?

  Taiwan's military budget for 2021 is around $15.4 billion, representing a modest increase. However, this pales in comparison to China's military spending. Taiwan has invested in advanced military equipment from the United States, but the significant disparity in budget and capabilities raises doubts about the effectiveness of Taiwan's military buildup.

• What is the U.S. policy toward Taiwan?

  The U.S. has maintained a policy of strategic ambiguity toward Taiwan since the approval of the Taiwan Relations Act by the U.S. Congress. There are ongoing debates in Washington regarding the effectiveness and extent of the U.S. commitment to Taiwan's defense, particularly as China's military power grows.

• What recent aggressive actions has China taken?

  In 2020, China clashed with India, imposed a new security law in Hong Kong, and conducted military maneuvers near Taiwan. These actions raise concerns about the extent of the U.S. commitment to Taiwan's defense amid strategic ambiguity.

• What is China's stance on Taiwan?

  China claims sovereignty over Taiwan and aims for reunification by 2049. However, Taiwanese identify themselves as Taiwanese and hold negative views of China. China is increasing its territorial claims and engaging in conflicts in the South China Sea and East China Sea despite international disapproval.

• What does NordVPN offer?

  NordVPN provides online security, access to global content, privacy protection, fast speeds, and multi-device support. It also follows a strict no-logs policy for user privacy.

• 00:00 China's assertive behavior with its neighbors, including Taiwan, has created tensions and raised questions about defending the island. NordVPN ensures online security, access to global content, and privacy protection with fast speeds and multi-device support.
• 03:15 China is asserting its claim over Taiwan and engaging in territorial conflicts with other countries, particularly in the South China Sea. This is part of a broader nationalistic agenda and a potential source of global conflict.
• 06:56 China's increasing aggression in 2020: clash with India, Hong Kong's new security law, and military maneuvers near Taiwan; Taiwan faces growing Chinese threat and questions US commitment to its defense amid strategic ambiguity.
• 10:25 The U.S. Congress approved the Taiwan Relations Act, initiating the policy of strategic ambiguity to maintain special commitments with Taiwan. However, the effectiveness and extent of the U.S. commitment to Taiwan's defense are in question as China's military power grows.
• 13:41 Taiwan's military budget has seen a moderate increase, but it pales in comparison to China's military spending. Despite substantial investments in advanced military equipment, the significant disparity in budget and capabilities with China raises doubts about the effectiveness of Taiwan's military buildup.
• 16:57 Taiwan needs to focus on asymmetric warfare and guerrilla tactics to defend itself against China. International community's role in safeguarding Taiwan's independence is unclear.