International Seminar, 28 Mei 2025, Hybrid Format, @Mgr Geisse Lecture Theatre, Unpar.
The Taiwan Strait is still one of the most volatile areas in the world. It is estimated that if an open war occurs in these waters, the impact will be very large on the world order and economy. The Taiwan Strait has been an area of geopolitical tension since the end of the Chinese Civil War (1945–49) and the retreat of Chiang Kai-shek’s government and army to Formosa and the nearby islands now known as Taiwan. The United States, which initially stated that it would not get involved in the crisis in China, finally decided to send its Navy to the region to prevent an invasion from China. The US then became an ally of Taiwan and maintained the security of the “political entity” from a possible invasion from China.
Tensions in the Taiwan Strait region have flared up several times since the 1950s. The first Taiwan Strait crisis occurred in 1954–55, when the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China shelled three Taiwanese-controlled islands: first Quemoy (Jinmen) Island, followed by Matsu and Dachen. Taiwan had a vital strategic interest in maintaining Taiwan’s defense through control of these three islands. The second Taiwan Strait crisis occurred in 1958, when China bombed Jinmen and Matsu islands.
The third Taiwan Strait crisis (1995–96) emerged after the United States granted Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui a tourist visa in May 1995. The visa was seen by China as a violation of “existing agreements” and the “One-China Policy.” The fourth crisis occurred in 2022 with a similar case to the third. In August 2022, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi traveled to Taiwan, but—unlike Lee, whose visit was ostensibly as a private citizen—Pelosi was acting in an official capacity as a US government official.
Speculation on the future of Taiwan has emerged since February 2022 following the invasion of Russia in Ukraine. There is a question whether China would invade Taiwan to secure its full control of the whole territory as the ultimate realization of One China Policy. There is also concern regarding President Trump’s new policy towards China, particularly regarding reciprocal tariffs, and its impact on Taiwan’s status. Many people see the status of Taiwan relies much on the United States’s commitment to deter any action by China in maintaining the security in the islands. The fluctuative relationship between the US and China will presumably affect the way the US will define the status of Taiwan.
Considering the importance of the issue of the Taiwan Strait, Parahyangan Center for International Studies (PACIS) is organizing a special seminar to understand the current situation in the Taiwan Strait.
The Seminar is scheduled on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 at 01.00-03.00 PM (Jakarta Time) or 0200-0400 PM (Taichung Time), in a hybrid format.
Main Speakers:
- Dr. Chun-Yi Lee, SFHEA
- Associate Professor, School of Politics and International Relations
- Director, Taiwan Research Hub, University of Nottingham
Topik of Presentation: “Can Money Buy People’s Hearts and Minds? Review of Cross-Strait Economic and Security Issues?”
2.Dr. Tzuli Lin
- Associate Professor, Department of Political Science,
- Tunghai University, Taiwan
- Association of International Relations (ROC)
Topic of Presentation: “The Security Dilemma of the Trilateral Relationship between Taiwan, China, and the United States: Ideology, Identity, or Power.”
Discussants:
- Ratih Indraswari, Ph.D, Korean-ASEAN Specialist
- Idil Syawfi, SIP, MA, Geopolitics and Defense Diplomacy specialist
Moderator:
Prof Sukawarsini Djelantik, Ph.D. Public Diplomacy Specialist
This Seminar is open for publics. Please feel welcome to contact: pacis@unpar.ac.id for further information and invitation, including zoom link for participants from outside Unpar Campus, Bandung,
Reference of the narratives on Taiwan Strait Crisis:
https://www.britannica.com/event/Taiwan-Strait-crises
