Taiwan Roundtable: Lawfare, Information, and Influence: China’s Toolbox for Shaping Cross-Strait Engagement

Scholarly and policy debates surrounding cross-Strait relations have increasingly expanded to examine the broader range of political, legal, informational, and social instruments employed by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to shape Taiwan’s sociopolitical environment and foreign relations. This panel explores how Beijing’s contemporary approach toward Taiwan combines international and subnational diplomatic engagement, legal measures often described as lawfare, and information and influence operations to shape political behavior while remaining below the threshold of conventional military escalation. Recent developments, including the high-profile meeting between PRC President Xi Jinping and Kuomintang Chairperson Cheng Li-wun, exchanges with Taiwanese local governments and municipal leaders, sustained campaigns of online disinformation and cognitive influence, expanded legal measures targeting perceived supporters of Taiwanese sovereignty, and the implementation of China’s new Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress, have renewed debate over the evolving boundaries between engagement, persuasion, deterrence, and coercion . The Sigur Center for Asian Studies is convening a panel of scholars to examine these developments from interdisciplinary and comparative perspectives. Drawing on their areas of expertise, the panelists will explore varied interpretations of Beijing’s evolving strategy, assess Taiwan’s responses, and consider the broader implications for democratic resilience, regional stability, and the future of cross-Strait relations. Doors will open no sooner than 15 minutes before the event start time. The Elliott School can coordinate with the university to reasonably accommodate most disabilities. If you need specific accommodations, please contact the Sigur Center at [email protected]. Requests should be made as soon as possible, but at least three days prior to the program to ensure accommodation.