Facing China’s ongoing military expansion and the escalating situation in the Indo-Pacific region, military security expert Tony Hu emphasized that Taiwan’s security not only relies on the support of the United States but also crucially on Taiwan’s own demonstration of unified defense resolve.
Hu, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel who previously served as a Pentagon official and Deputy Director of Security Cooperation at the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), expressed his views at the annual fundraising lecture organized by the Los Angeles chapter of the Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA) on Thursday. He underscored that from the perspective of American society, the lack of consensus within Taiwan on defense budget and security policies could affect the willingness of the U.S. to promote arms sales to Taiwan and security cooperation.
Hu noted that in recent years, the U.S. government has been actively strengthening security cooperation with Taiwan and pushing for arms sales and military exchanges. However, internal debates in Taiwan on defense budget and related policies often lead some Americans to question, “If Taiwan cannot decide on enhancing its defense capabilities, why should the U.S. invest more resources to assist Taiwan?”
He suggested that Taiwan’s political parties and society should enhance communication and cooperation to demonstrate to the international community their determination to safeguard democracy and freedom, and continuously convey to American society the importance of preserving and supporting Taiwan’s core values.
In addition to its geopolitical significance, Hu also discussed Taiwan’s importance from a cultural standpoint. He highlighted that Taiwan has preserved many traditional cultural and social values within the Chinese-speaking world, including trust, friendliness, and spirit of mutual assistance among individuals. In contrast to mainland China undergoing societal changes under communist rule, Taiwan continues to uphold precious cultural heritage.
“Taiwan is like a treasure trove preserving traditional Chinese culture,” Hu remarked, noting that if Taiwan were to lose its democratic system one day, the world would lose a valuable and unique cultural paradigm. Once these values disappear, they may be irretrievable.
Regarding the roles overseas Taiwanese can play, Hu mentioned that apart from being concerned about Taiwan’s situation, the overseas community should actively engage in public discussions in American society and respond rationally with facts to misinformation or propaganda from the Chinese Communist Party. He believed that garnering support from American people for Taiwan is a long-term grassroots movement requiring influence accumulation from communities, campuses, and local governments.
Hu cited that in recent years, the Chinese Communist Party’s united front work and influence operations targeting American local communities and Chinese diaspora have drawn increasing attention. Hence, the Taiwanese American community should proactively speak out to explain Taiwan’s democratic achievements and strategic value to mainstream American society.
Discussing the future of warfare, Hu pointed out that artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous systems, and drone technology are rapidly transforming the modern battlefield. With challenges posed by declining birth rates and insufficient manpower, Taiwan can enhance its overall defense efficiency by adopting emerging technologies to establish a more robust deterrent capability at lower costs.
Recent years have seen numerous startups in the U.S. focusing on defense technology utilizing AI, autonomous aerial vehicles, and unmanned systems to develop next-generation defense capabilities. These technologies are expected to aid Taiwan in developing asymmetric warfare capabilities and bolstering overall combat readiness within limited resources.
However, Hu acknowledged that Taiwanese politicians are confronted with practical challenges. Besides national security, voters are equally concerned about issues such as education, healthcare, housing, and social welfare, demanding a delicate balance between national security and public needs, making related decisions exceedingly complex.
Regarding the shift in Taiwan’s defense policy in recent years, Hu noted that Taiwan has transitioned gradually from the government-centric “Whole-of-Government Defense” model to further developing the “Whole-of-Society Defense” concept, integrating civilian forces into the defense framework. In the future, besides the military, businesses, schools, communities, and the general public will all become crucial forces in enhancing national resilience.
Addressing the national security threat posed by personnel infiltration, false identities, and covert networks by the Chinese Communist Party, Hu admitted that this is one of the most challenging issues for modern democratic societies to tackle.
With Taiwan having a vast coastline and an open and free societal environment, completely thwarting external infiltration is nearly impossible. Some individuals might infiltrate by forging identity documents or other means, blending in with the general population until activated for specific missions under certain circumstances.
“The most challenging aspect is that if they have not committed any crimes, it is difficult to take action within the boundaries of the law,” Hu explained, emphasizing that a democratic society must adhere to the rule of law and cannot arbitrarily restrict personal freedoms based on suspicions. Consequently, covert operatives may blend into communities, possibly interacting daily at convenience stores, on the streets, or within neighborhoods.
In response to such threats, he stressed that the most critical aspect is enhancing nationwide vigilance and societal resilience. Hu pointed out that in recent years, numerous civil defense and national defense organizations have been established in Taiwan, educating the public through courses and training to identify abnormal behaviors and increase sensitivity to suspicious activities around critical infrastructure.
For example, during periods of heightened cross-strait tensions, if individuals frequently appear near crucial infrastructure such as bridges, power plants, or communication facilities engaging in unclear activities, citizens should heighten their vigilance and, if necessary, inquire or report to relevant authorities. Hu stated that while Taiwanese society is generally friendly, fostering a moderate level of risk awareness and crisis recognition capability is essential in special circumstances.
Nevertheless, Hu emphasized that preventing infiltration should not come at the cost of sacrificing democratic freedoms. Freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and the rule of law are the fundamental differences between Taiwan and the Chinese Communist system. Even in the face of false information or united front propaganda, democratic societies should not compromise their core values.
“We cannot become what we originally did not want to be for the sake of countering threats,” Hu stated, highlighting that this is the most challenging aspect for democratic countries when faced with grey zone warfare. While it is necessary to raise awareness and strengthen national defense, upholding the basic principles of freedom, rule of law, and open society remains crucial.
He acknowledged that there are no simple solutions at present, but continuously elevating public safety awareness, enhancing civil defense education, establishing community reporting mechanisms, and reinforcing societal resilience are the most pragmatic and effective ways for democratic societies to address infiltration threats.
In conclusion, Hu emphasized that in the face of an increasingly severe regional security environment, Taiwan requires not only military equipment but also a collective establishment of crisis awareness and defense resolve among its citizens. Only by rallying societal consensus, deepening Taiwan-U.S. cooperation, and continually bolstering overall resilience can Taiwan effectively safeguard peace in the Taiwan Strait and regional stability.