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Employing “Non-Peaceful” Means Against Taiwan: The Implications of China’s Anti-Secession Law

October 15, 2024 • 9:00 – 11:00 am EDT

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Please join the CSIS China Power Project and the Prospect Foundation on Tuesday, October 15 from 9:00 – 11:00 am EDT for the roll-out of our new report: Employing “Non-Peaceful” Means Against Taiwan: The Implications of China’s Anti-Secession Law.

China’s 2005 Anti-Secession Law (ASL) is a critical piece of domestic legislation that provides a legal foundation for China’s approach to Taiwan, including a future attempt at forceful unification with the island. In recent years, China has increasingly leveraged the ASL to legitimize its actions towards Taiwan and in June of 2024, the Chinese government cited the ASL as it laid out a new interpretation of its criminal law. This interpretation consisted of 22 guidelines for imposing criminal punishment on leaders and advocates of Taiwan independence. These concrete guidelines are a notable shift from the original vague language of the ASL and are important to assess in the context of evolving cross-Strait dynamics. 

To assess these critical developments, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) co-hosted a conference with Taiwan’s Prospect Foundation in Taipei on August 6, 2024. The conference brought together leading international experts to analyze China’s legal warfare and the ASL. The conference focused on three main topics: 1) How China might use the ASL and the 22 Articles; 2) The legal basis and relevance of China’s ASL and the 22 Articles; and 3) How the international community should respond. 

Joining us to present the conference findings are four experts: Vincent Chao, Taipei city council member and former director of the political division at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States; Dr. Jacques deLisle, Stephen A. Cozen professor of law and director of the Center for the Study of Contemporary of China at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, Dr. Julian Ku, Maurice A. Deane distinguished professor of Constitutional Law at Hofstra Law; and the Honorable Randall Schriver, former assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs.

Dr. Bonny Lin, director of the China Power Project and senior fellow for Asian Security at CSIS, and Dr. I-Chung Lai, president of Taiwan’s Prospect Foundation, will moderate the discussion. 

The Honorable Jonathan Meyer, former general counsel of the Department of Homeland Security and now partner at Sheppard Mullin, will provide opening remarks. Ambassador James Moriarty, former Chairman of the American Institute in Taiwan, will provide closing remarks. 

This event is made possible through the generous support of Robert Tsao, founder of the United Microelectronics Corporation.

Contact Information

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Bonny Lin
Director or the China Power Project and Senior Fellow for Asian Security at CSIS
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I-Chung Lai

I-Chung Lai

President, Taiwan’s Prospect Foundation
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Jonathan Meyer

Jonathan Meyer

Former General Counsel, Department of Homeland Security
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Vincent Chao

Vincent Chao

Taipei City Council Member
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Jacques deLisle

Jacques deLisle

Stephen A. Cozen Professor of Law and Director of the Center for the Study of Contemporary of China, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
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Julian Ku

Julian Ku

Maurice A. Deane Distinguished Professor of Constitutional Law, Hofstra Law
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Randall Schriver

Randall Schriver

Former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs
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James Moriarty

James Moriarty

Former Chairman of the American Institute in Taiwan
October 15, 2024 • 9:00 – 11:00 am EDT
Employing “Non-Peaceful” Means Against Taiwan: The Implications of China’s Anti-Secession Law