For decades, Taiwan has existed in a fragile balance, neither truly independent nor unified with mainland China. While this status quo has proven surprisingly enduring, China's continued economic and military rise and its government’s increasing nationalistic rhetoric have raised fears of a conflict around the island – accidental or intentional.

What's the best approach to prevent further or more intense aggressive actions from China against Taiwan? Build up strong military deterrence, or go the way of diplomatic engagement?

In this bonus episode of STATE OF ASIA, listen to four experts debate this complicated issue.

The debaters, who presented clear-cut, time-constrained arguments in an Oxford Debate we hosted on January 23, 2024, are:

• Simona Grano, TOY Senior Fellow on Taiwan at Asia Society’s Center for China Analysis, and Associate Professor and Director of the Taiwan Studies Project at the University of Zurich, Switzerland
• James Lee, Professor at the Institute of European and American Studies at Academia Sinica, the national academy of  Taiwan
• Amanda Hsiao, Senior Analyst for China at the International Crisis Group
• Yu-Hua Chen, Assistant Professor in the Global Studies Program at Akita International University (AIU) in Japan

Watch the entire debate here, and learn more about the speakers on our website.

Our Oxford Debate series offers insights into complex issues, presented in short and clear arguments. Find all the debates here.

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STATE OF ASIA is a podcast from Asia Society Switzerland. 
Season 6, bonus episode 1 - Published: January 25,  2024
Host and Producer: Remko Tanis, Programs and Editorial Manager, Asia Society Switzerland