Why Taiwan’s security matters to Australia and the world

Why Taiwan’s security matters to Australia and the world

Author: ANU National Security College May 8, 2025 Duration: 43:50

What kind of external pressures and foreign interference is Taiwan facing?  

How does Taiwan balance its status as a global tech giant with its regional security vulnerabilities?

In what ways are Australia’s interests intertwined with the security and resilience of Taiwan? 


In this episode, Ketty Chen and Mark Harrison join Susan Dietz to discuss Taiwan's national security challenges, focusing on the influence of China, the complexities of Taiwan's domestic politics, and the implications of its role in the global tech supply chain.


Dr Ketty Chen is Advisor for the National Bureau of Asian Research and an Expert Associate at the ANU National Security College (NSC). 

Dr Mark Harrison is Senior Lecturer in Chinese Studies in the School of Social Sciences at the University of Tasmania and an Expert Associate at NSC. 

Susan Dietz is Senior Executive Advisor, China at NSC. 


TRANSCRIPT   


Show notes 


We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au.You can contact us on X (formerly Twitter) @NSC_ANU and Bluesky @nscanu.bsky.social, and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes.  


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Produced by the ANU National Security College, The National Security Podcast offers a deep and nuanced examination of the forces shaping regional and global stability. This isn't just a surface-level news recap; it's a forum for serious, informed discussion grounded in academic rigor and policy expertise. Each episode features conversations with leading thinkers, practitioners, and analysts who unpack the complex security landscape, from geopolitical shifts and economic coercion to cyber threats and climate-related risks. The focus is consistently on the pressing challenges and strategic choices confronting Australia and the broader Indo-Pacific region. Listeners will gain access to a range of perspectives that cut through the noise, providing clarity on how today's decisions shape tomorrow's security environment. By engaging with this podcast, you join a conversation that is both timely and essential, one that connects theoretical understanding with the practical realities of government and international affairs. The dialogue here is built on evidence and experience, offering listeners a trusted source to better comprehend the intricate dynamics of power, diplomacy, and defense. It's an ongoing exploration of what security means in a rapidly changing world, delivered through thoughtful, long-form discussions that prioritize depth and insight.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The National Security Podcast
Podcast Episodes
China's evolving relationship with the United States [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:09
How does China’s leadership view the relationship with the US, and how has that perspective evolved over the years? How might China seek to take advantage of recent actions by the Trump Administration that have destabili…
China's naval activity off Australia: coercion or common practice? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:57
Was China's live fire exercise off Australia's coast permissible under international law? What might have been the rationale behind this exercise? Does this fit into a bigger pattern of Chinese maritime coercion, or was…
Russia, the US, and the (uncertain) future of “the West” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:37
What parallels can be drawn between Russia’s democratic decline and challenges facing the US and other Western democracies? What are the prospects for genuine peace after Putin's invasion of Ukraine? With the US’ shiftin…
Who decides? Courts, citizenship, and national security [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:09
How does the exercise of judicial power shape national security law and policymaking in Australia? What legal safeguards exist to balance civil liberties and national security? Why do the principles of citizenship matter…