Lin Chia-lung urges Taiwan model at Warsaw forum to boost European strategic autonomy

At the Warsaw Security Forum held in Warsaw, Poland, on the 13th of this month, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung was invited to deliver a keynote speech elucidating how the "Taiwan Model" can potentially contribute to Europe's strategic autonomy. Established in 2002, the Warsaw Security Forum has become a premier informal platform for discussing European security and defense policy, focusing on issues such as post-Russia-Ukraine conflict defense restructuring, energy security, and technological innovation. Minister Lin pointed out that Europe is currently confronting three major simultaneous challenges in security, economy, and technology: first, Russia's ongoing military threat is driving NATO and the European Union to accelerate defense integration; second, unstable energy supplies and inflationary pressures are constraining the competitiveness of European industries; and third, the global deployment of critical technologies such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors leaves Europe at a relative disadvantage in supply chains and research and development resources.

Against this backdrop, Minister Lin utilized the "Taiwan Model"—centered on "trust and shared values"—as an entry point to explain how Taiwan's strengths in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and precision manufacturing align with Europe's demands. Since the 1990s, Taiwan's semiconductor industry has led the global market with advanced manufacturing processes, with companies like TSMC accounting for over fifty percent of the global foundry market share through their technology and production capacity, making them critical nodes in the international supply chain. Minister Lin emphasized that if Europe can combine Taiwan's manufacturing experience and AI algorithms through technological cooperation and investment, it will help Europe narrow the gap with the United States and Asia in high-end and smart manufacturing, thereby promoting AI-driven re-industrialization and enhancing the added value of domestic industries.

Beyond industrial cooperation, Minister Lin also highlighted the implications of the "Taiwan Model" for institutions and governance. Taiwan's democratic system, rule of law, and the coordinated operation of industrial policies are regarded as an exemplary model combining market mechanisms with public governance. In pursuing strategic autonomy, Europe needs to balance security and economic interests while avoiding over-reliance on a single source of supply. Minister Lin noted that Taiwan's practical experience in supply chain resilience, crisis response, and cross-departmental coordination can provide Europe with a viable policy blueprint, particularly in maintaining continuous operations through institutionalized risk management mechanisms when facing complex challenges such as power supply and raw material shortages, as well as cybersecurity.

Regarding the sensitivity of cross-strait relations, Minister Lin stated in his speech that Taiwan's external cooperation must maintain regional peace and stability under the premise of non-provocation. While European nations generally adhere to their respective "One China" policies, they simultaneously value economic, trade, and technological exchanges with Taiwan. Minister Lin urged that while strengthening defense cooperation, European countries can reduce their reliance on any single major power through diversified industrial partnerships, which not only serves Europe's strategic interests but also helps Taiwan secure broader participation on the international stage.

Finally, Minister Lin concluded with specific directions for cooperation: including the joint research and development of AI-driven manufacturing automation systems, the establishment of advanced packaging and testing centers in Europe, and the promotion of bilateral academic and talent exchange programs. If successfully implemented, these initiatives will not only enhance Europe's industrial competitiveness but also extend Taiwan's technology and market reach into the broader European market, forging a mutually beneficial long-term partnership. From a broader perspective, Taiwan's participation may well become a critical fulcrum for Europe in the fields of emerging technologies and supply chain security, injecting new momentum into Europe's strategic autonomy. (Source: Central News Agency)