Taiwan and the Communist Threat: An Academic Experience from Within

In my capacity as a university professor and Director of the Tucumán Research Center (CIT) of the Federalism and Freedom Foundation, I participated between March 15 and 30 in the National Development Program of Higher Level, organized annually by the National Defense University of Taiwan for Hispanic American officers, researchers, and university professors.

This program included training sessions on the history, culture, society, democratic regime, technological advances, and development of freedoms of the Republic of China (Taiwan); as well as the issue of the constant threat looming over that island by the Chinese Communist Party.

The visit also included tours of the most relevant military units of that country

Attendees also had the opportunity to visit porcelain and knife-making craft workshops, as well as distilleries and technology development companies, to learn about the economic potential of that Asian tiger.

The program also included a flight on a Hercules C130 plane to the legendary island of Kinmen, the scene of fierce battles during the 50s and 60s between the communist troops of the People's Republic of China and the Taiwanese; where the forces of freedom emerged victorious. The tour of the famous rock tunnels, dug on the island, which allowed for its successful defense, is particularly moving. The peculiarity is that this island is located about 200 km from Taiwan and only 6 km from mainland China, which can be seen at a glance from Kinmen. 

In addition to various meetings with the Rector of the National Defense University, Admiral Liu Chin-Pin, attendees were received in an audience by the President of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Lai Ching-te, at the Presidential Palace.

As a result of this activity, the various Memorandums of Understanding signed by the Federalism and Freedom Foundation, one of the most dynamic and important liberal think tanks in Argentina, with the National Defense University and the National Defense and Security Research Institute, were activated to facilitate the exchange of professors, researchers, and speakers in programs organized by these entities; the conduct of joint research, exhibitions, and publications on the following aspects:  technological, social and human development, society, democratic framework, and exercise of freedoms; as well as the threat of communism in the world.