Part 8/11:
A recurring theme in Gallagher’s remarks is Taiwan’s strategic importance. He explained that Chinese President Xi Jinping aims to reunify Taiwan with China, viewing the island as a critical piece of his legacy and a regional power projection tool.
Gallagher outlined three reasons why Xi desires Taiwan: to consolidate his leadership status, to control the vital semiconductor industry, and to establish regional dominance in the Indo-Pacific. He warned that failing to deter Chinese aggression could result in Taiwan falling under Beijing’s control, which would shift the global balance of power dramatically.