Russia’s invasion of Ukraine serves as a stark reminder for the world’s democracies: authoritarian actors are more than willing to use force to achieve their goals. Understanding this risk, solidarity between democracies is crucial if we are to deter further aggression. This solidarity is most important when considering the challenges facing the front line of the rules-based international order.
While Taiwan and Ukraine are quite distinct in most ways, we share similar authoritarian threats right on our borders. We understand the risks of inaction and apathy. That is why Taiwan, another vanguard of democracy, has stood in steadfast support of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.
Taiwan was a leading nation in announcing sanctions against Russia, joining in international efforts to impose meaningful costs on Russia’s unconscionable actions. Additionally, Taiwan has been a major contributor to the humanitarian relief effort, sending large volumes of medical supplies, financial aid, and a wide range of critical goods that are contributing meaningfully to Ukraine’s self defence.
Shortly after Ukraine was invaded by Russia, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) set up a special account to raise funds for Ukraine. In just a month, the special account amassed over $40-million. Aside from monetary donations, MOFA also launched a donation drive collecting humanitarian goods. More than 31,000 boxes of essential items, weighing in at over 650 tons, were collected and are being shipped to the region.
Some have wondered whether Russia’s invasion may embolden China to follow in Moscow’s footsteps. Indeed, China has increased its military spending. Beijing has also for many years refused to take military aggression off the table when discussing how it plans to resolve its differences with its neighbours. It has engaged in overt aggression in the form of air defence zone incursions, harassment, and grey zone tactics in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea, and large-scale economic coercion.
However, all the support of the international community for Ukraine may give pause to China as it considers its own designs on countries like Taiwan. As countries seek to punish Russia for its invasion, they also indicate that China would face a harsh and united response if it engages in military action. Taiwan’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Joseph Wu, noted that the solidarity between democracies means China will likely “think twice because of possible sanctions against China or the possible support that would come to Taiwan.”
Additionally, Taiwan is prepared to meet whatever military challenge we may face. We are well equipped, well trained, and entirely capable of defending our country completely. Even still, Taiwan is purchasing more defensive equipment, investing in the deterrent capacity that plays such a vital role in dissuading authoritarians from engaging in such aggression.
Furthermore, we have the will and resolve necessary to meet any threat. As President Tsai Ing-Wen has said, the situation in Ukraine “once again proves that the protection of the country, in addition to international solidarity and assistance, depends on the unity of the whole people.” To that end, our people are united in their shared commitment to our country and way of life; we cherish our freedom from domination just as much as the brave men and women fighting in defence of Ukraine.
This is the strongest deterrent we can provide and the greatest contribution we make to the global defence of democracy.
And yet, despite Taiwan’s contributions, the reality is that we remain disconnected from many of the international organizations that make up the rules-based international order. Now is the moment in which democracies must be unquestioningly united in staring down the shared threat posed by authoritarianism. We cannot afford to continue leaving Taiwan on the sidelines.
As such, Canada should do its part. Concluding a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement—a process that has recently started—would be the first major step toward linking the Canadian and Taiwanese economies more formally, helping inoculate both our countries from economic coercion. This should be expanded more broadly; Canadian support for Taiwan’s inclusion in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership would be invaluable toward further linking Taiwan with the world.
Additionally, Taiwan has much to offer the international community when it comes to combatting harmful foreign interference and disinformation, public health management, and much more. We are eager to help, but we must be provided the international space and access to do so effectively.
The choice before us as democracies is stark and simple: either we stand together, immediately redoubling our efforts to create an indivisible front, or we falter, allowing authoritarian actors to coerce and ultimately pick off those countries which stand on the frontlines of democracy. The invasion of Ukraine is a warning to the world about the importance of getting this fundamental question right.
Link: https://www.hilltimes.com/2022/04/20/solidarity-needed-to-deter-aggression-as-taiwan-ukraine-face-similar-authoritarian-threats/356829
