While the world's attention is focused on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a delegation of former US officials has expressed American support for another democracy under rising strain from an authoritarian state.
Former defense and security officials, led by ex-Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mike Mullen, met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on Wednesday on a two-day visit to the self-ruled island, which has expressed solidarity with Ukraine.
"The Ukrainian people's commitment to protect freedom and democracy, as well as their fearless dedication to defending their country, have been met with deep empathy from the people of Taiwan, as we, too, stand on the front lines of the battle for democracy," Tsai said before the meeting on Wednesday.
"History reminds us that if we turn a blind eye to military aggression, we just make ourselves more vulnerable. The time has arrived for all democracies throughout the world to band together."
Analysts have drawn parallels between Ukraine's authoritarian menace and Taiwan, which is less than 200 kilometers (124 miles) from China's southeastern coast. That threat has been realized in Ukraine through unwarranted military action. In the case of Taiwan, China's ruling Communist Party desires eventual "reunification" – by force if necessary – with the island it claims as its own despite never governing it.
The timing of the former US officials' visit appeared to be designed to assuage Taipei's concerns about the country's future, with Mullen, a retired admiral who served as a top military adviser to former US Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, saying he hoped the visit would "reassure" Taiwan.
"I hope that by being here with you, we can reassure you and your people, as well as our regional allies and partners, that the United States stands steadfast behind its promises," Mullen said, referring to Washington's long-standing backing for Taiwan's defense.
"We arrive in Taiwan at a tough and vital juncture in world history. As (US) Vice President (Joe) Biden has stated, democracy is experiencing ongoing and grave challenges, most notably in Ukraine. Democracy requires champions now more than ever."
Taiwan's support for Ukraine
The increasing war in Ukraine has dominated Taiwanese news coverage, eliciting an outpouring of compassion from Taiwanese citizens across the political spectrum.
Hundreds of demonstrators have assembled outside Russia's representative office in Taipei on three consecutive occasions since last week, carrying the Ukrainian flag and signs stating "no war." Taiwanese city skylines, including the famed Taipei 101 skyscraper, were also lit up in blue and yellow – the colors of Ukraine's flag.
Tsai's government, for its part, has promptly criticized the Russian incursion, with Premier Su Tseng-chang declaring Tuesday that Taiwan would block some Russian institutions from the SWIFT international payments system "in lockstep" with economic sanctions imposed by Western countries. Su stated that they have also delivered medical aid to Ukraine.
According to the government, leading Taiwanese chipmakers, which account for more than half of global semiconductor chip output, have all promised to comply with Russian sanctions.
Tsai stated after meeting with the US team on Wednesday that Taiwan would set up a contribution account for Ukraine and that she, Su, and Vice President William Lai would each donate a month's pay.
'Rock-solid relationship'
Relations between Taipei and Beijing are at an all-time low.
China's military has dispatched a record number of jets into the air around Taiwan in recent months, while diplomats and state-run media have warned of an invasion if the island does not toe the Chinese Communist Party's line.
Tsai has stated that Taiwan's military must maintain vigilance and monitor activities across the Taiwan Strait in light of security concerns related to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which occurred just weeks after a high-profile meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
According to Wen-Ti Sung, a lecturer in the Australian National University's Taiwan Studies Program, the date of the American delegation's visit was "clearly related to the Ukraine situation," and Mullen's role as its leader signified that defense issues would "figure heavily on the agenda."
"At a time when Taiwan is wondering if it will be Ukraine today or Taiwan tomorrow... the presence of a senior and nonpartisan ex-governmental delegation is here to demonstrate that the US security commitment to Taiwan is indeed different and higher than it is to Ukraine," he said.
Taiwan, unlike Ukraine, plays a different role in geopolitics and global supply networks, according to Sung.
The delegation was appointed by Biden, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Joanne Ou, with Taiwan's presidential office spokesman Xavier Chang saying ahead of the visit that it demonstrates Washington and Taipei's "rock-solid" relationship, "especially at a time when the situation in Ukraine remains severe."
The delegates are also set to meet with Taiwanese Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng in addition to Tsai.
China's reaction
On Tuesday, Beijing slammed the visit, calling it "futile," and urging Washington to "manage Taiwan-related matters cautiously" in order to avoid further deterioration of China-US relations.
"The Chinese people's resolve and will to protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity are unwavering. It is pointless for the United States to send anyone to display its ostensible support for Taiwan "Wang Wenbin, a spokeswoman, stated during a regular press briefing.
Beijing has failed to criticize Russia's war on Ukraine or to refer to the country's full-scale assault as a "invasion."
It has denied similarities between the situation in Ukraine and its own claims on Taiwan, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang stating on February 22 that "there is only one China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory."
Mainland Since the end of the Chinese civil war more than 70 years ago, when the vanquished Nationalists retreated to the island, China and Taiwan have been administered independently.
The US ended its formal diplomatic relationship with Taipei in 1979 when it recognized the government in Beijing, but it has maintained an unofficial relationship with Taipei, which includes visits from delegations made up of retired officials or lawmakers, and is legally required to sell arms to Taiwan for self-defense.
Tsai became the first Taiwan President in decades to recognize the existence of US troops on the island for training purposes in an exclusive interview with CNN in October, but she stressed the number was "not as numerous as people thought."
The latest visit comes after the US approved the sale of military equipment and services to Taiwan for an estimated US$100 million last month.
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