US Air Force Delegation visits NCCU, seeking cooperation and ensuring national security
Date :
2023-09-08
Department :
Secretariat
【Article by Office of International Cooperation】
On 24 August 2023, NCCU received a delegation from the Institute of Future Conflict (IFC). The Institute is a branch of the United States Air Force Academy established in 2021 focusing on the evolution of modern armed conflict, with emphasis on technological development, cultivating strong global relations, and the prevention of warfare. The IFC delegation includes the retired and current U.S. Air Force officers, Lieutenant General (retired) B.J. Shwedo, Major General (retired) David Scott, Brigadier General (retired) David Stilwell, and Second Lieutenant Cole Resnik; and Air Force Academy Foundation donors, Mark Gordon, Michael Gordon, John Kucera, and Paul Madera. Participants from NCCU included Prof. Ching-Ping Tang (VP for International Cooperation), Prof. William Stanton (former AIT Director), and professors from the College of International Affairs, College of Social Sciences, and Election Study Center. Attendees discussed the cooperation strategies between the U.S. and Taiwan, the current situations of Chinese political and military intimidation as well as shared perspectives and expertise in the preservation of Taiwan’s national security.
Prof. Ching-Ping Tang expressed his warm welcome to all the participants, stating that the visit is very special since NCCU is not a military institution, and he is full of expectations for the discussions between both sides on the solution for conflict prevention. Lieutenant General Shwedo, IFC Director, also expressed warm remarks towards the NCCU participants, stating that their visit is critical to provide more insight to the U.S. government and educational bodies on how to support Taiwan’s thriving democracy.
According to Professor Charles Wu, “guanxi” is very important to Taiwanese people; thus, increasing the communication and economic interdependence between Taiwan and China is vital. Echoing the same sentiment, Prof. James Yuan, referencing the U.S. Fulbright Program, stated that educational exchange is essential in promoting cultural understanding between the U.S. and Taiwan. Professors from the College of International Affairs also indicated that next year’s presidential election result and internal instability in China will play major roles in the future cross-strait relation.
During the discussion, NCCU faculty and the IFC delegation enthusiastically discussed topics relevant to Taiwan’s election security, cyber warfare, semiconductor development, U.S.-Taiwan relations, etc. Mark Gordon, Executive Director of the Zephyr Impact Fund, expressed that building economic ties with Taiwanese businesses is an effective method of demonstrating the U.S.’ commitment to supporting Taiwan. Prof. Tang also suggested U.S. agencies to develop “high economic stakes” in Taiwan, especially semiconductor fabrication plants, given its importance within its global economic development and cross-strait security. Prof. Stanton also noted that Taiwan should not solely rely on the U.S. and should develop partnerships with Taiwan’s neighboring countries and the international community in terms of diplomacy, military, economics, etc.
After the meeting, Prof. Tang presented a magpie porcelain plate to the delegation. The blue magpie is the national bird of Taiwan and can often be spotted at the NCCU campus. This porcelain plate displays how precious and important this visit is. In return, Shwedo gifted traditional U.S. Air Force coins to the NCCU faculty, telling them they have been “coined,” a term used in the U.S. Air Force to honor its recipient's significant skill and contributions. The meeting not only demonstrates NCCU’s dedication to building global partnerships but also the profound knowledge and expertise NCCU can offer to the global community.
On 24 August 2023, NCCU received a delegation from the Institute of Future Conflict (IFC). The Institute is a branch of the United States Air Force Academy established in 2021 focusing on the evolution of modern armed conflict, with emphasis on technological development, cultivating strong global relations, and the prevention of warfare. The IFC delegation includes the retired and current U.S. Air Force officers, Lieutenant General (retired) B.J. Shwedo, Major General (retired) David Scott, Brigadier General (retired) David Stilwell, and Second Lieutenant Cole Resnik; and Air Force Academy Foundation donors, Mark Gordon, Michael Gordon, John Kucera, and Paul Madera. Participants from NCCU included Prof. Ching-Ping Tang (VP for International Cooperation), Prof. William Stanton (former AIT Director), and professors from the College of International Affairs, College of Social Sciences, and Election Study Center. Attendees discussed the cooperation strategies between the U.S. and Taiwan, the current situations of Chinese political and military intimidation as well as shared perspectives and expertise in the preservation of Taiwan’s national security.
Prof. Ching-Ping Tang expressed his warm welcome to all the participants, stating that the visit is very special since NCCU is not a military institution, and he is full of expectations for the discussions between both sides on the solution for conflict prevention. Lieutenant General Shwedo, IFC Director, also expressed warm remarks towards the NCCU participants, stating that their visit is critical to provide more insight to the U.S. government and educational bodies on how to support Taiwan’s thriving democracy.
According to Professor Charles Wu, “guanxi” is very important to Taiwanese people; thus, increasing the communication and economic interdependence between Taiwan and China is vital. Echoing the same sentiment, Prof. James Yuan, referencing the U.S. Fulbright Program, stated that educational exchange is essential in promoting cultural understanding between the U.S. and Taiwan. Professors from the College of International Affairs also indicated that next year’s presidential election result and internal instability in China will play major roles in the future cross-strait relation.
During the discussion, NCCU faculty and the IFC delegation enthusiastically discussed topics relevant to Taiwan’s election security, cyber warfare, semiconductor development, U.S.-Taiwan relations, etc. Mark Gordon, Executive Director of the Zephyr Impact Fund, expressed that building economic ties with Taiwanese businesses is an effective method of demonstrating the U.S.’ commitment to supporting Taiwan. Prof. Tang also suggested U.S. agencies to develop “high economic stakes” in Taiwan, especially semiconductor fabrication plants, given its importance within its global economic development and cross-strait security. Prof. Stanton also noted that Taiwan should not solely rely on the U.S. and should develop partnerships with Taiwan’s neighboring countries and the international community in terms of diplomacy, military, economics, etc.
After the meeting, Prof. Tang presented a magpie porcelain plate to the delegation. The blue magpie is the national bird of Taiwan and can often be spotted at the NCCU campus. This porcelain plate displays how precious and important this visit is. In return, Shwedo gifted traditional U.S. Air Force coins to the NCCU faculty, telling them they have been “coined,” a term used in the U.S. Air Force to honor its recipient's significant skill and contributions. The meeting not only demonstrates NCCU’s dedication to building global partnerships but also the profound knowledge and expertise NCCU can offer to the global community.