China’s Taiwan Strait Strategy: A Global Threat to Maritime Trade

The escalating assertiveness of Beijing in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly within the critical Taiwan Strait, presents a profound challenge not only to regional stability but also to the very foundations of global maritime commerce. As a vital chokepoint for an estimated nearly US$3 trillion in annual trade, the potential for disruption here casts a long shadow over international supply chains and economic security, transforming what might appear to be a regional dispute into a global concern with far-reaching implications.

• The Taiwan Strait is a critical maritime chokepoint handling nearly US$3 trillion in annual global trade.
• China’s actions, including ship harassment, threats to undersea cables, and blockade rehearsals, are perceived as threats to international trade freedom.
• Taiwan’s Ocean Affairs Minister Kuan Bi-ling highlighted the global dimension of these regional provocations.
• Taiwan, never governed by the Communist People’s Republic of China since its 1949 establishment, maintains a policy of de-escalation against Beijing’s incursions.
• Taiwan responds to Chinese intrusions through law enforcement actions, such as cargo seizures and crew deportations, documenting incidents publicly.

Taiwan’s Ocean Affairs Minister Kuan Bi-ling underscored this global dimension during the 2025 Taiwan International Ocean Forum in Taipei. She warned that China’s actions, including the harassment of ships, threats to undersea communication cables, and extensive blockade rehearsals in the Taiwan Strait, are not isolated provocations but direct threats to the free flow of international trade. Kuan, whose agency oversees Taiwan’s Coast Guard, acknowledged the significant size disparity between the Taiwanese and Chinese fleets. Nevertheless, she emphasized Taiwan’s continuous commitment to monitoring, analyzing, and adapting its responses to Chinese drills. Her statements come amid rising international concerns about Beijing potentially initiating a “quasi-blockade”—a measure short of overt war but with potentially devastating effects on international shipping and global economic stability.

Despite Beijing’s persistent claims, the island of Taiwan has never been governed by the communist People’s Republic of China (PRC), which was established in October 1949. Beijing annually invests substantial resources to promote a narrative portraying Taiwan as a breakaway province destined for eventual unification, by force if deemed necessary. This stance is coupled with explicit preparations for conflict, contingent on Taiwan’s refusal to accept a “special administrative region” status akin to Hong Kong, where civic freedoms and dissent are now severely curtailed. Taiwan, conversely, maintains a policy of de-escalation, responding to incursions through law enforcement rather than military provocation to avoid escalating tensions.

Minister Kuan detailed Taiwan’s measured approach: “When Chinese ships illegally enter our waters, we respond with law enforcement, not provocation. We seize their cargo, deport their crew, and we document everything—publicly and in multiple languages—to show the world we follow international law.” She cited a recent incident where Chinese coast guard personnel briefly boarded a Taiwanese ferry before withdrawing upon the arrival of Taiwan’s Coast Guard, interpreting it as an action primarily motivated by optics rather than genuine goodwill. This, she argued, exposes China’s strategic objective to normalize its aggressive actions by framing them as internal affairs, which Taiwan effectively counters through a strategy of transparency and robust international outreach.

International Perspectives and Strategic Implications

The strategic implications of China’s actions extend far beyond the immediate regional boundaries, prompting urgent calls for greater international solidarity. Piero Tozzi, staff director of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, characterized China as a “systemic rival” rather than merely a strategic one, suggesting its ultimate aim is to fundamentally reshape global norms and governance structures. Tozzi proposed that increased liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports by Taiwan from the U.S. could provide greater justification for the U.S. Navy to ensure safe passage, even under potential blockade conditions. Against this backdrop, economic relationships are also a focal point, with past reports indicating Taiwan’s intent to increase purchases of American goods—a move influenced by potential trade considerations under then-President Donald Trump’s administration, including previously discussed tariffs.

Former British Defense Secretary Sir Gavin Williamson also weighed in on the issue, commending recent naval transits through the Taiwan Strait by British, French, and Dutch forces. However, he asserted that far more is needed from international partners. “We can’t let the U.S. carry this burden alone,” Williamson stated, drawing a pointed parallel to Europe’s belated awakening to Russia’s broader ambitions following its invasion of Ukraine. He further stressed that symbolic gestures, such as allowing Taiwan’s unofficial representative offices worldwide to use the name “Taiwan” instead of the more ambiguous “Taipei,” also hold significant weight in the broader geopolitical context. Ultimately, the ongoing tension in the Taiwan Strait encapsulates a fundamental global question: Who will define the rules and principles of the international order in the 21st century?