Former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen
During her visit to the United States, former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen discussed China's pressure on Taiwan and called for strengthening Taiwan's defense capabilities and international cooperation.

Taiwan’s former president Tsai Ing-wen said at a defense forum held at Stanford University in the United States on Oct. 7 that China continues to pressure Taiwan through military patrols, cyberattacks, cognitive warfare, information manipulation and economic coercion. She said such actions often avoid triggering open conflict directly, but could gradually alter the security environment around Taiwan.

It was Tsai’s first visit to the United States since leaving office two years ago. According to Reuters, she said in her speech that Taiwan’s security challenges are persistent and that it must continue strengthening its defense capabilities while maintaining confidence and freedom of action, in preparation for scenarios in which deterrence may fail.

Tsai: Gray-zone activities are increasing

Tsai said Taiwan faces cyberattacks, cognitive warfare, information manipulation, economic coercion and attempts to infiltrate critical infrastructure every day.

She also said Chinese military aircraft and naval vessels regularly operate around Taiwan, while coast guard and other maritime activities are becoming increasingly common. She said these so-called gray-zone activities are intended to raise the cost of Taiwan’s response, test its reactions and gradually alter the surrounding security environment, while avoiding the consequences of open conflict.

Tsai said Taiwan must respond to the ongoing pressure in a way that preserves its confidence and freedom of action, while continuing to improve its self-defense capabilities.

“Gray-zone” generally refers to actions between peace and open armed conflict, including military activities, maritime law enforcement, cyber operations and information operations. In her speech, Tsai described these different forms of pressure as part of the security challenges Taiwan currently faces.

Beijing opposes Tsai’s US visit

China’s Foreign Ministry said on Oct. 8, in response to Tsai’s remarks, that the purpose of her US visit was essentially to “coerce foreigners into pursuing Taiwan independence.” The Chinese Embassy in the United States also reiterated this week that Beijing firmly opposes any form of official interaction between the United States and Taiwan.

Beijing regards Taiwan as part of China and has not renounced the possible use of force to achieve unification, although it says it hopes for peaceful unification. Tsai and her successor, President Lai Ching-te, have both rejected Beijing’s sovereignty claims over Taiwan. China, meanwhile, has refused to engage in dialogue with either of them.

Tsai’s speech in the United States came as Taiwan-US relations and security in the Taiwan Strait continue to draw attention. The United States is Taiwan’s most important international supporter, although the two sides do not have formal diplomatic relations. Lai has yet to visit the United States during the second administration of US President Donald Trump.

Tsai: Taiwan Strait stability affects global supply chains

Tsai also linked Taiwan’s security to global economic and technology supply chains. She said Taiwan is deeply integrated into global technology and manufacturing networks, and that a serious disruption in the Taiwan Strait would affect the entire Indo-Pacific region and potentially the broader international community.

She said deepening cooperation with Taiwan would not only strengthen Taiwan’s own security, but also help maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific and build resilience across the broader democratic community.

Taiwan plays an important role in the global semiconductor and technology manufacturing supply chains, meaning that developments in the Taiwan Strait are not only an issue in cross-strait relations but also involve production, logistics and supply-chain risks for international companies.

Tsai’s speech once again highlighted the connection between Taiwan’s security and international cooperation. However, the future situation in the Taiwan Strait will still depend on the development of cross-strait interactions, the policies of all parties and the regional security environment. The risks should not be assessed definitively based on the remarks of a single political figure.