Dr. T.Y. Wang, University Professor and chair of the Department of Politics and Government, was featured in Taiwan News on Taipei’s strategy against China’s military pressure on the island country.
Wang explained that China’s foreign policies have become increasingly assertive and aggressive with an intent to restructure international order in its favor, including cross-strait relations. Since Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen took office in 2016, Beijing has furthered its diplomatic efforts of isolating Taipei and intensifying military pressure by repeatedly sending naval vessels and warplanes circulating the island and into its Air Defense Identification Zone.
To counter China’s aggressive military pressure, President Tsai has been building up Taiwan’s military and deepening ties with the U.S. and Japan. “Balancing” has become the “optimal” strategy for Taiwan because it serves as a form of deterrence, though it requires the country to “redistribute scarce resources on defense.”
Wang is on sabbatical in spring 2023 and currently serves as a Visiting Distinguished Professor at the Election Study Center, National Chengchi University in Taipei, Taiwan.
