Taiwan Security Seminar: Adopt Ukraine's Legal Framework for Total Defense

On October 20, 2024, Taipei hosted the "Taiwan National Security and Democratic Resilience Seminar," organized by civil society groups and attended by military experts, academics, and policymakers. The core agenda of the conference focused on how to build a sustainable security defense and international support mechanism for Taiwan in the face of escalating military pressure and diplomatic isolation from mainland China.

During the conference, several scholars suggested that Taiwan should learn from Ukraine's "Law on the Foundations of National Resistance," enacted in 2022. This legislation provides a legal foundation governing public participation in defense, resource allocation, and information sharing, while ensuring that the state can maintain autonomous decision-making under external threats. If Taiwan localizes this framework, it would help strengthen public self-defense awareness while providing the government with legitimate authorization and coordination mechanisms during times of crisis.

Furthermore, experts pointed out that cross-strait security is not merely a matter of military defense, but also a battlefield of international narratives. Taiwan needs to proactively shape an international image of "peace and stability," utilizing diplomatic channels to enlist the joint participation of the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, and Southeast Asian nations to form a network of multilateral mutual trust and coordinated defense. This would not only enhance Taiwan's international visibility but also provide a broader diplomatic and military backing in times of crisis.

From the perspective of democratic resilience, establishing a transparent and legal defense framework can foster social consensus, reduce internal divisions, and boost public trust in the government's crisis management. If Taiwan can integrate defense legislation with democratic values, it will help maintain political stability and social solidarity when facing external threats, thereby consolidating Taiwan's national sovereignty.

However, achieving these goals still faces multiple challenges. First, mainland China