The Asia-Pacific Resilience Research Foundation (CAPRI) held its 3rd International Forum on the 12th, with British scholars presenting a keynote speech titled “The New Cold War between the US and China and How Asia-Pacific Can Breakthrough,” calling on Taiwan and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region to ensure they become better allies to the United States.
The 3rd CAPRI International Forum concluded at the Taipei Creative Hub on the theme “Building Resilience, Creating a New Asia-Pacific.” CAPRI Chairman Lin Shia-ju stated that this forum aimed to gather discussions on innovative strategies to address the turbulent current situation in the Asia-Pacific region, with experts from Japan, Korea, Europe, the US, as well as representatives from elite Taiwanese enterprises in attendance.
The forum kicked off with a keynote speech by former Director of Chatham House, Robin Niblett, from the United Kingdom, who visited Taiwan for the first time to emphasize that the ideological conflict between the US and China will set the tone for international relations in the 21st century. He highlighted that amid the conflict between the two superpowers, including Taiwan, the broader Asia-Pacific region plays a crucial role as the eye of the storm.
Niblett pointed out that in the face of this “New Cold War,” Taiwan is at the forefront and must establish itself as a model of innovative resilience. Taiwan’s future depends on countries with similar reliance on US security like free and democratic nations.
He emphasized the importance for Taiwan to establish solid partnerships with like-minded countries, such as the G7 nations, the EU, UK, Canada, Japan, and Australia, to maintain the island’s security and prosperity. As China-Russia relations tighten, the US’s ability to address challenges and achieve economic success relies on allies. The challenge for Taiwan and other Asia-Pacific countries lies in ensuring they become “better allies” to the US.
Experts from the University of Virginia Miller Center for Public Affairs, Mara Rudman, and former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Cabinet policy commentator, Kathy Matsui, discussed the impact of the Trump administration’s tariff policies on the Asia-Pacific economy and global supply chains during his second term. They highlighted the need for Asian countries to rethink existing international trade relations and norms, as well as explore innovative models for regional economic cooperation.
The Chief Economist for Asia-Pacific at BNP Paribas, Asia Ishta, mentioned that Europe’s involvement can mitigate the world’s economic shift towards a polarization of major powers; Kathy Matsui stressed that Japan needs to enhance domestic resilience and explore more possibilities to address severe impacts like tariffs.
Chairman of Fubon Group, Tsai Ming-chung, emphasized the importance of private sectors contributing to environmental sustainability as there is only one planet. Chairman of Temasek Holdings, Lim Boon Heng, shared that “developing a smart economy requires a long-term perspective, prioritizing education and talent.” Social resilience comes from quality education and talent supply. Chairman and CEO of Suntory Holdings, Takeshi Niinami, stated that enhancing resilience relies on comprehensive planning and cited Suntory’s recent collaboration with private organizations as an example of building public trust in the private sector and promoting social inclusivity and sustainability.
Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Health and Welfare of the Republic of China, Lin Ching-yi, pointed out Taiwan’s provision of medical personnel training, medical equipment, and services to Pacific diplomatic allies since 2006. She emphasized the importance of the Pacific to Taiwan and government’s hopes to deepen support for regional allies to help Pacific Island nations develop resilient public health systems capable of withstanding climate change, beyond geopolitics.
In the keynote introduction on “Research Collaboration and International Exchange: Innovations and Talent Cultivation in the Unhooking Tide,” Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China, Chen Ming-chi, highlighted the need for Taiwan to promote cooperation to drive innovative development in addition to maintaining vigilance against potential threats.
Executive Director of Fulbright Taiwan, Na Yuan-dao, mentioned the increasing interest in language learning despite the US cutting international academic exchange budgets. With foreign students less willing to study in China, this presents an opportunity for Taiwan to develop academic exchanges between the US and Taiwan. Professor He Han-li, a director on the CAPRI board, stressed the importance of international exchanges in reflecting on internal issues and values alongside imagining future generations’ aspirations.
Taipei Mayor, Ko Wen-je, discussed how changes in international situations affect regional political, economic, and social development, sharing Taipei’s achievements in enhancing resilience such as investing in smart city technology, providing grants for international talent, and improving disaster response capabilities.
Sunjoy Joshi, Vice Chairman of the International Advisory Committee of CAPRI and President of the Observer Research Foundation, India’s top think tank, concluded that understanding each other’s strengths and weaknesses in the Asia-Pacific region and adapting to changing circumstances is crucial to jointly build a resilient and innovative Asia-Pacific.