Security Choices for the Republic of China (Taiwan) and their Implications

Cross-Strait relations and the strategic interaction between Washington and Beijing constitute the overarching national security framework within which the Taiwan independence movements seek to find opportunities. This issue brief examines Taiwan’s national security through the lens of the Republic of China (ROC, Taiwan), tracing its historical evolution and strategic challenges. It explores how the triangular dynamics among Beijing, Taipei, and Washington shape Taiwan’s security choices and considers the implications that a pursuit of Taiwan independence may hold for regional stability and the ROC’s long-term survival.