The Taiwan Freedom Project has published a 32-page special section in The Washington Times titled "Why Taiwan Matters, Now More Than Ever." The publication serves as an educational resource intended to help citizen leaders find their voice in defense of freedom against totalitarianism. The project aims to seize the intellectual and moral high ground in the battle of narratives against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Tom McDevitt, chairman of The Washington Times, stated that the organization believes Taiwan is the most important geopolitical question facing America and the free world. He encouraged readers to engage with the content to preserve the freedom, peace, sovereignty, and prosperity of Taiwan. Ian Everhart, managing editor of the Taiwan special section, noted that this edition is the first in a series and will be translated into Mandarin.

The special section is organized into three parts, featuring contributions from a bipartisan group of lawmakers and experts. The inaugural section includes the "Ten More for Taiwan" report by House Select Committee on China Chairman Rep. John Moolenaar and Ranking Member Rep. Ro Khanna. This report provides a roadmap for strengthening US relations with Taiwan and deterring aggression by the CCP.

Key voices from Taiwan featured in the publication include President Lai Ching-te, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, and Deputy Minister of Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council Shen Yu-chung. Their contributions address topics such as responding to China’s expansionism, gray zone warfare, and countering legal and psychological warfare. Other contributors include Iris Shaw, director of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Mission in the United States, and Rear Admiral (Ret.) U.S. Navy Mark Montgomery.

The publication also includes a section led by Rep. Christopher H. Smith, co-chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), which calls for support for the Transnational Repression Policy Act. The final section, "What is to be Done?," offers practical solutions for achieving victory, with contributions from experts such as John Dotson of the Global Taiwan Institute and Bill Gertz, national security correspondent for The Washington Times.

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Thursday that Taiwan's efforts to strengthen its defenses should not be viewed as provocation, as Beijing intensifies military and political pressure and Taipei seeks swift approval of a new U.S. arms sales package. Speaking to the Taiwan Foreign Correspondents' Club in Taipei, Lai stated that Taiwan's actions are focused on protecting its democratic system and security.

"Taiwan's safeguarding of its own national security and maintaining its democratic and free way of life, its refusal to accept unification, and its refusal to accept rule by the Chinese Communist Party should not be seen as a provocation against China," Lai said. He reiterated that Taiwan remains open to dialogue with Beijing based on "parity and respect," but insisted only Taiwan's people can decide their future.

US Arms Package Request

Lai called for continued U.S. support, urging quick approval of a new arms sales package. "We will continue to maintain close communication with the U.S. government, and we also hope the arms purchases can be approved as soon as possible," he said. He added that Taiwan would continue expanding its defense capabilities to deter aggression.

China, which claims Taiwan as its territory, has accused Lai of separatism and rejected his calls for talks. Lai said Beijing is increasing military activity across the Western Pacific and "is the main driving force changing the status quo in the Taiwan Strait."

Diplomatic Context

This week, Taiwan reiterated that it is a sovereign and independent democracy following comments from U.S. President Donald Trump after his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Taipei said its status was "self-evident" but stressed it would continue maintaining the cross-strait status quo, avoiding both formal independence and unification with China.

Trump said he was "neutral" on Taiwan's security and made no firm commitment on U.S. military support or a proposed $14 billion arms package, while urging both sides to ease tensions. He added that U.S. policy had not changed but opposed any move toward Taiwanese independence. Last week, at the summit in Beijing, Xi warned that Taiwan remains the most sensitive issue in U.S.-China relations and cautioned that mishandling it could destabilize ties.