Programme of events
Taiwan's New Security Predicament
09:30, 2 Dec 2008
RUSI, Whitehall, London, SW1A 2ET
Link to map:
multimap PLACES AVAILABLE: Open to all
About the event:

In recent weeks, China and Taiwan have reached historic milestones during an unprecedented thaw in the eight-year deep freeze in relations between Beijing and Taipei. By comparison with nervous uncertainty across the Taiwan Strait early this year there are now high expectations for continued rapprochement.
The Chinese leadership is facing an important decision over how long and how wide it can hold the window of opportunity open for cross-strait relations. Both sides understand the need for a comprehensive peace agreement but this is hampered by a continued sense of suspicion created by a cross-strait arms build-up. Whether or not economic rapprochement will be followed by a reduction in cross-strait hostility and consequent international room for manoeuvre for Taiwan remains uncertain.
The conference will assess the current security predicament across the Taiwan Strait, but perhaps more importantly will address strategic issues concerning the rise of the People’s Republic of China and the broader security dimension in the Asia Pacific in a crucial year for Taiwan. The conference will furthermore aim to encourage debate over next steps in the cross-strait dialogue with the intention of better understanding Taiwan’s security predicament while a window of opportunity with China remains open.
CORE THEMES
• The window of opportunity for cross-strait political rapprochement and Taiwan’s international space.
• Taiwan’s new security predicament and the potential for a comprehensive peace treaty.
• Europe and the new US administration’s approach to cross-strait relations.
With a keynote address by Taiwan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andrew Hsia, speakers include:
• Dr Gudrun Wacker German Institute for International and Security Affairs
• Dr Valerie Niquet Director of the Asia Centre, French Institute for International Relations
• John J. Tkacik Jr. Senior Research Fellow, the Heritage Foundation
• Dr Kerry Brown Associate Fellow, Chatham house
• Dr Gerald Shih-hsiung Chow, National Taiwan Sun Yat Sen University
• Dr. Francis Yi-hua Kan, National Taiwan Chengchi University
For more information please contact Alex Neill on (0) 20 7747 2614 or email alexn@rusi.org.
For all other enquires please contact Deanne Prudden, Events Manager on (0) 20 7747 2619 or email deannep@rusi.org