In a context of growing tension in the Taiwan Strait, the island faces a complex situation, marked by the constant military threat from mainland China. This was the central premise of the conference "Taiwan Facing China's Penetration Strategy: Challenges and Responses in Latin America," organized by the Federalism and Liberty Foundation at the University of CEMA (UCEMA). The event featured Kwo-Wei Kung, Director of the Center for Latin American Studies at Tamkang University (Taiwan), who critically addressed the increasing pressure China exerts on Taiwan and other countries in the region.

Kung emphasized the need for Taiwan to continue arming itself and strengthening its defensive capabilities as the only guarantee of maintaining its freedom. "We Taiwanese are accustomed to threats from mainland China, but we cannot fear war. If we want peace, we must be prepared for war, just as South Korea does. We have no other place to flee; our only option is to resist with the cooperation of our allies," he stated firmly.

The scholar highlighted that although China maintains a pacifist image in regions like Latin America and Africa, its reputation is radically different in Asia, especially for countries like Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines. According to Kung, China's shift in posture toward Taiwan intensified after 2016, when the Democratic Progressive Party took power on the island. Since then, the frequency of Chinese military aircraft incursions into Taiwan's air defense zone has increased significantly, a clear indication of the deterioration of bilateral relations.

Taiwan, in Kung's words, is in a critical position within the chain of islands that includes North Korea to the Philippines, acting as a containment barrier against mainland China's military power. However, he noted that Taiwan is the most vulnerable link in this chain, being the only territory that China might attempt to annex in the future. "Taiwan is at the center of a common defense line for democratic countries, and it is imperative that we resist Chinese pressures," he remarked.

The situation reached a critical point in 2022, with the visit of Nancy Pelosi, then Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, to Taiwan. This event triggered a series of large-scale military maneuvers by China around the island, accompanied by trade sanctions aimed at warning countries that support Taiwan, particularly the United States and Japan.

Regarding the upcoming elections in the United States, Kung does not foresee major changes in U.S. policy toward Taiwan, regardless of who wins. Although traditionally Republicans have shown greater support for Taiwan due to their anti-communist stance, both parties now share a similar view regarding mainland China. According to Kung, Taiwan's strategic importance in containing Chinese power ensures that the United States will maintain its support for the island.

Finally, in relation to Argentina, Kwo-Wei Kung shared his perspective on the new president, Javier Milei, highlighting his anti-communist stance. "Milei is clearly an anti-communist figure, which could significantly influence Argentina's foreign relations," Kung stated. However, he stressed that Argentina's strong economic dependence on mainland China limits its ability to make autonomous foreign policy decisions. "When a country is economically dependent and sells more to China, it has less room to maneuver in its foreign policy," he explained. Nonetheless, Kung expressed optimism about the future, suggesting that after a few years of reforms under Milei's administration, Argentina could achieve greater autonomy in its foreign policy, particularly in its relationship with Taiwan. "After some reforms, surely Argentina will gain more space for a more autonomous foreign policy towards Taiwan," he concluded.

The well-attended event also featured prominent figures such as Taiwan's Ambassador to Argentina, Florencia Miao-hung Hsie, and other notable academic and political personalities. Among them were journalist Carolina Amoroso and "Tata" Jofré, who addressed the grave situation in Venezuela during their speeches. Also in attendance were Constanza Mazzina (UCEMA), José Guillermo Godoy (Federalism and Liberty Foundation), Agustín Barcetti (author of "The Dragon's Hunger"), Elisa Trotta Gamus (FyL Internacional), and Sabrina Ajmechet, among others. The day concluded with a concert by Luis Alberto Mariño, titled "Melodies of Resistance," which paid tribute to the fight for freedom and democracy.