Taiwan's Total Defense Becomes Security Focus Ahead of US-China Summit

The US President and the Chinese President are about to hold a summit in Washington, marking the most anticipated high-level dialogue since their last meeting. Ever since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, international concern over escalating tensions in US-China relations has continued to mount, naturally placing Taiwan at the center of this geopolitical situation. Taipei must not only respond to military pressure from the mainland, but also remain vigilant on diplomatic and information warfare fronts. At this time, external observers are closely watching whether the US will adjust its policy toward Taiwan following the summit, particularly regarding the continuity of security and military assistance.

In an exclusive interview with the Central News Agency, Christopher Walker, Vice President of the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), pointed out that the upcoming summit between Trump and Xi is unlikely to yield substantive breakthroughs. Walker believes that positions between the two sides on core issues remain too far apart—especially concerning trade sanctions, technology supply chains, and human rights—making a consensus in the short term improbable. More importantly, the fundamental stance of US policy toward Taiwan will maintain the status quo: continuing to provide defensive equipment, strengthening military cooperation, and supporting Taiwan's participation in multilateral mechanisms on international occasions. Walker emphasized that the stability of this policy serves as a vital security guarantee for Taiwan.

Taiwan's whole-society defense resilience, demonstrated in recent years, has become a focal point of discussion in academic and policy circles. Since 2022, the Taiwanese government has promoted the concept of "all-room defense," establishing a cross-departmental and cross-sectoral collaborative mechanism spanning military training, civil defense education, and information protection. The Ministry of National Defense continues to update fighter jets and air defense systems, while private enterprises invest in cybersecurity and supply chain resilience. Schools and communities regularly hold air defense drills to raise public crisis awareness. These initiatives have not only enhanced Taiwan's combat readiness, but have also established an international model of how democratic societies can respond to external threats through collective national strength.

Walker described Taiwan's approach as a "key model for democratic nations to counter authoritarian sharp power." In his view, authoritarian states frequently employ sharp-power tactics—such as information manipulation, economic coercion, and military intimidation—in attempts to undermine the autonomy and international space of other countries. In contrast, Taiwan has forged a resilient defense force combining both hard and soft power through information transparency, the protection of the rule of law, and citizen-participatory defense systems. This model not only provides immediate defensive capabilities during crises, but also consolidates social cohesion in times of peace, serving as a reference template for other democratic nations.

The impact of this defense resilience on the regional security architecture should not be underestimated. The US and its allies have integrated Taiwan as a pivotal fulcrum of a "free and open" Indo-Pacific strategy; Taiwan's enhanced self-defense capabilities can alleviate frontline deployment pressures for the US while sending a signal to other threatened nations that democracies can defend themselves. On the other hand, should China persist in testing Taiwan's bottom line through military exercises and diplomatic pressure, it may face heightened international condemnation and economic sanctions due to Taiwan's resolute will to defend itself. Overall, Taiwan's defense resilience is not only the cornerstone of its own security, but also plays a crucial role in international politics by promoting democratic values and checking authoritarian expansion.