Why Taiwan’s Security Matters to Everyone

Haseeb Ahmed Khalid

Although Taiwan is merely one of the smallest islands in terms of territory, the significance that it plays in the contemporary world order is quite disproportionate. There can also be very few problems that are as explosive, and even fewer regions that see such a narrow line of power as the Taiwan Strait. The alarming aspect of this state of affairs is how China has been modernizing and demonstrating its military capabilities.

“The security of Taiwan, consequently, cannot be disjointed from the security of the global economy.”

The most recent test with hypersonic missiles, autonomous tanks, drones, and advanced electronic warfare systems is not merely a show of force. They are calculated measures of intimidation to Taiwan and a putdown of the international community about the Tibetan claim to be serious about enforcing its claims. Whenever Chinese troops and the navy engage in a large-scale exercise across the strait, there is a threat of miscalculation which are bound to have reverberations outside Asia.

Just because Taiwan is involved in this great-power rivalry in not way makes it a pawn. It is the throbbing heart of world tech manufacturing, particularly semiconductors. The companies on the island also produce around 60 percent of the world’s semiconductors, with almost 90 percent of the most sophisticated semiconductors critical in artificial intelligence, 5G, and even military use.

The Australian It is not only an abstract question of geopolitical stability as Taiwan, but the stability applies to the industrial functions that impact day-to-day life worldwide. A shortage in the supply of chips may freeze production lines of smartphones, vehicles, and even hospitals. The security of Taiwan, consequently, cannot be disjointed from the security of the global economy.

The dilemma is that too frequently the world ignores Taiwan and considers its existence as a simple two-pole forced choice: a confrontation battle with China or yield to the hegemony of the Chinese. Although deterrence is non-negotiable and Taiwan cannot afford not to invest in its defense, this narrative relies on the strength of the non-conventional and more sustainable types of resilience. Taiwan should have a chance to diversify its security portfolio.

“Taiwan is the throbbing heart of world tech manufacturing, particularly semiconductors.”

It can reinforce its role in Asia not only by playing its military side with the United States but also by creating regional alliances that deeply root the country in the region. Action points like dual research collaboration with Japan and South Korea, cultural immersion with Southeast Asian nations, and educational joint ventures might build ties that Beijing would find hard to cut.

Also crucial is the world reaction. The world needs to do more than merely rhetorically back Taiwan, and think of innovative methods of providing Taiwan with assistance without bringing matters to a boiling point. International organizations and trade mechanisms can also be utilised in order to draw Taiwan more intimately into the economic and diplomatic processes. Other states are free to beef up contacts, despite formal non-recognition, by using backdoor contacts, digital economy partnerships, and people-to-people relations. Such action improves legitimacy and resilience in Taiwan that cannot be performed by military hardware.

To the ordinary citizen of Europe, Africa, or the Americas, Taiwan can seem a far place. The microchips that make smartphones work, that power the more advanced cars, and those that created the so-called artificial intelligence all originate on this island. Maintaining American security in Taiwan is, therefore, a matter of trying to secure the technological infrastructure of the twenty-first century. Should a war break out in the Taiwan Straits, the ripple effect multiplied through the international industry would bring economic systems crashing down to their knees and destabilize the world order.

“The world needs to do more than merely rhetorically back Taiwan.”

The destiny of Taiwan is not to be focused on the limited perspective of the great-power struggle. Its security is global and very much part of everyday life, albeit in a manner that is usually hidden but vital. Taiwan- and the global community at large-can find peace by ensuring that credible deterrence is balanced with creative diplomacy and multilateralism in the region. The alternative is not confrontation or submission but shortsightedness or vision. The latter is in everybody’s interest.

The author is a BS (Hons.) International Relations student at the National University of Modern Languages. He is passionate about world affairs, particularly the politics of the Indo-Pacific. His interests also include international law, journalism, and global security.