Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen began an 11-day visit to the United States on March 11. Responding to media questions, she emphasized not to underestimate the possibility of war, stating that every country should prepare its self-defense capabilities, maintain internal unity, engage in military deployment and regional cooperation, and highlighted that the United States is an important strategic partner in maintaining peace across the Taiwan Strait.
According to reports from China Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Lu Shiow-yen’s visit began on March 11, including stops in Boston and New York, followed by a visit to Washington, D.C., where she met with the Maryland state government. On March 18, she signed a “Three-in-One Green Channel” memorandum of cooperation with the President of the North American Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce General Association to assist overseas Taiwanese in returning to Taiwan for residence or investment development. At the press conference for the signing, Lu stated that the main purpose of this trip is to attract investment to Taichung, and she discussed business cooperation with U.S. officials and relevant personnel.
She explained that the visit is not just about city diplomacy; the core goal is targeted investment promotion in the AI and drone industries, aiming to align Taichung’s industrial capacity with global technological trends and enhance international visibility.
US as the most important strategic partner for Taiwan Strait peace
When asked about the stalled arms procurement issues, Lu Shiow-yen said that many regions in the world are experiencing war today, with each country’s form of warfare differing. Therefore, every country must prepare its self-defense capabilities, including internal unity, military deployment, and cooperation with other regional nations.
Lu emphasized that the United States has long been an important ally of Taiwan and a key strategic partner in maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait and stability in the Pacific region. She said this trip provided an opportunity to explain Taiwan’s needs and perspectives to the U.S. and to demonstrate a sincere willingness to cooperate.
Success
You are now signed up for our newsletter
Success
Check your email to complete sign up
She also met with her “old friend,” Ingrid Larson, Executive Director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT).
Regarding tariffs, Lu noted that Taiwan is an export-oriented country, heavily affected by tariffs. She said she also voiced Taiwan’s position during the visit, hoping the U.S. could finalize tax rates soon so that the trade and economic order for countries worldwide could stabilize.
She added that the U.S. is deeply interested in Taiwan, with arms procurement being just one aspect—they want to understand more. She described her visit as smooth, with broad and in-depth discussions, yielding results beyond expectations, leaving her very satisfied.
When asked by the media if she is seen as a suitable candidate for the Kuomintang’s next presidential election, and what her winning strategy would be if she were a candidate, she replied that she could not answer, as she is “not currently” a presidential candidate.
Peace must be built on strength
According to the Central News Agency (CNA), on March 16, Lu Shiow-yen visited the U.S. think tank Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), explaining the long-term security framework for Taiwan Strait stability, including five aspects such as “Security and Strength.” She argued that peace must be built on strength, and that internal unity and economic prosperity are necessary to enhance national resilience. As a “mom mayor,” her leadership focuses on resolving disputes rather than seeking conflict.
Taichung City’s press release stated that Lu visited the CFR headquarters in New York and met with former AIT Chairman Raymond F. Burghardt and former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Asia-Pacific Daniel R. Russel, discussing cross-strait and Taiwan-U.S. relations, arms procurement, and international political and economic issues for nearly two hours.
In the discussions covering Taiwan Strait security, Taiwan-U.S. strategic cooperation, and global political and economic issues, Lu outlined the long-term security framework for Taiwan Strait stability using the acronym SHIOW: “Security and Strength,” “Honor and Honesty,” “Initiation and Intelligence,” “Opportunity,” and “Will and Willingness.”
During a Q&A with scholars, Lu cited a recent poll showing that nearly 80 percent of Taiwanese support strengthening Taiwan-U.S. relations, which she said is the main basis for her commitment to consolidating the partnership as an elected local leader.
Regarding cross-strait and foreign relations, Lu proposed a “toolbox theory,” stating that dialogue is just one way to reduce risks and its effectiveness depends on timing. She advocated for continuous communication between Taiwan and the U.S., emphasizing that leaders should prioritize domestic unity; once consensus is built internally, societal resilience can be strengthened, and Taiwan can play a key role in the First Island Chain.
Participants in the talks included Columbia University political science professor Andrew J. Nathan, Rush Doshi (Director of China Affairs at the U.S. National Security Council during the Biden administration), and Joshua Freedman, a researcher in the Asia Program at the American Foreign Policy Institute.
The Liberty Times reported that on March 17, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus secretary-general Fan Yun said Mayor Lu’s U.S. visit demonstrates that she represents Taiwan more strongly than Kuomintang Chairperson Zheng Liwen. He expressed hope that after hearing U.S. opinions on arms procurement and tariffs, Lu would quickly communicate with Chairperson Zheng upon returning to Taiwan to persuade her to support the Executive Yuan’s NT$1.25 trillion special defense legislation.
Fan reiterated that Taiwan urgently needs “Taiwan’s Shield,” asymmetric defense capabilities, and, importantly, to strengthen Taiwan’s non-Red supply chains.
By Li Jingyao
