The Research Institute for Democracy, Society, and Emerging Technology (DSET) visited the Weatherhead East Asian Institute at Columbia University on November 5 at the invitation of political science professor Andrew Nathan. They presented at the event titled “Strengthening Taiwan’s Resilience: Policy Options and Debates,” sharing their latest findings in four key areas: energy resilience, economic security, democratic governance, and national security. Professor Nathan chaired the discussion session, which included about twenty Columbia students, alumni, and researchers who explored strategies to enhance Taiwan’s whole-of-society resilience.
Energy Resilience Program Director Tsaiying Lu began by outlining the Taiwanese government’s current efforts to strengthen whole-of-society resilience and the roles that DSET aims to play in policy advisory and think-tank diplomacy. Lu discussed the key challenges Taiwan faces regarding electricity transmission and water supply, particularly in relation to the semiconductor industry and the expansion of AI data centers, which may further strain the grid in northern Taiwan. The team’s research modeled scenarios involving a blockade in the Taiwan Strait, concluding that the island could remain energy self-sufficient for 40 to 50 days under existing systems. Policy recommendations included increasing the share of renewable energy and improving maritime insurance preparedness.
Min-yen Chiang, Deputy Director of the Economic Security Program, followed with an overview of China’s semiconductor industrial policy, drawing from case studies in DSET’s recent publications. Chiang explained that local government competition and vertical integration are two major features that distinguish China’s industrial approach from that of other nations. Through substantial subsidies, technology absorption, and talent recruitment, China has managed to lower costs and gain significant global market shares in mature semiconductor manufacturing. He cautioned that U.S. export controls on individual Chinese firms should consider possible spillover effects that could unintentionally strengthen other competitors.
Next, Democratic Governance Program Director Kai-Shen Huang discussed China’s export of artificial intelligence services and the associated data risks. He emphasized that while China’s AI business models have scaled domestically and are heavily promoted abroad by the state, domestic regulatory frameworks hinder foreign users from effectively auditing the underlying algorithms and data processes. The session concluded with a presentation by Hong-Lun Tiunn, Deputy Director of the National Security Program, on Taiwan’s drone industry. Tiunn noted that Taiwan adopts a decentralized manufacturing approach to enable rapid repair and civilian operation, integrating drones into broader societal resilience efforts. He expressed hope that U.S. policy frameworks would further incorporate Taiwan into unmanned systems operations.
During the Q&A session, Professor Nathan inquired about the establishment of DSET in Taiwan and its role in international relations. DSET representatives described the evolving geopolitical context since 2021, which highlights Taiwan’s need to reinforce resilience amid growing external challenges. Participants raised questions regarding talent outflows and cybersecurity, further emphasizing the need to enhance resilience in Taiwan’s semiconductor and energy sectors. Addressing concerns about repeated damage to undersea cables, DSET pointed out the legal and evidentiary challenges in responding to such gray-zone tactics, calling for increased international collaboration with European countries facing similar threats.
The visiting DSET delegation included Energy Resilience Program Director Tsaiying Lu, Deputy Director of the Economic Security Program Min-yen Chiang, Democratic Governance Program Director Kai-Shen Huang, Deputy Director of the National Security Program Hong-Lun Tiunn, and Non-resident Fellow of the Energy Resilience Program Yu-Hsuan Yeh.
