On October 8, 2026, former President of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen, spoke in San Francisco, asserting that increased international collaboration with Taiwan is vital for bolstering both Taiwan’s security and the overall stability of the Indo-Pacific region. This statement was made during her address at Stanford DEFCON 2026, an annual conference dedicated to exploring issues related to technology and national security.

In her speech titled “Building Security Together: Taiwan’s Role in Global Stability,” Tsai emphasised that the intersection of military strength, technological advances, and economic stability presents significant challenges on a global scale. She remarked that maintaining harmony in the Indo-Pacific is increasingly complex due to ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Tsai pointed out the regular operations of Chinese military aircraft and vessels around Taiwan, alongside daily occurrences of cyberattacks and information manipulation. She stressed that Taiwan must not only prepare for imminent military threats but also enhance its self-defence capabilities while safeguarding its freedoms.

Strategic Importance of Taiwan

According to Tsai, the Taiwan Strait serves as a crucial trade and energy route, with Taiwan being intricately linked to global technology and manufacturing sectors. She warned that any significant disruption in this region would have far-reaching impacts on the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

Addressing the perception of Taiwan as merely a security issue needing external support, Tsai asserted that the island conducts substantial contributions to global supply chains, particularly citing the semiconductor industry. She highlighted Taiwan’s capacity to not just consume but also enhance global manufacturing capabilities.

Tsai also referenced the role of the United States, which contributes approximately seventy-five per cent of global artificial intelligence computing capacity. She noted that Taiwanese firms are responsible for the production of nearly all advanced accelerators used in AI systems, alongside around ninety per cent of the corresponding servers.

Technological Contributions and Future Collaborations

In her discourse, Tsai elaborated on Taiwan’s significant presence in the satellite sector, noting that Taiwanese companies produce essential components like radio-frequency chips and circuit boards integral to communication and satellite technologies. She pointed out that the distinction between civilian and military technologies is increasingly blurred, elevating the relevance of these capabilities to security.

According to Tsai, Taiwan’s strategic position in the first island chain, combined with its robust democratic framework and technological prowess, affords it an irreplaceable role in maintaining regional stability. She articulated that a secure and resilient Taiwan is beneficial for the entire Indo-Pacific, reinforcing reliable supply chains and minimizing vulnerabilities that extend beyond the region.

Tsai remarked that deeper cooperation with Taiwan is not solely advantageous to the island’s security but also critical for the improvement of democratic resilience in a broader context. She concluded her remarks by emphasising the crucial role Taiwan plays in contributing to global stability amid evolving geopolitical dynamics.

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