Workshop on Reassurance Measures in the Taiwan Strait

Workshop on Reassurance Measures in the Taiwan Strait

13–14 June 2025

Tokyo, Japan

Amid heightened tensions in the Taiwan Strait—where the positions of the parties remain deeply divided, military preparations are intensifying, and no official dialogue is taking place—the Toda Peace Institute convened an international research group to explore reassurance as a supplement or alternative to deterrence. The workshop focused on developing reassurance measures as a pathway to reducing risks and fostering stability in the region.

Purpose of the Research Cluster

The Toda Research Cluster (TRC) on Taiwan was established to investigate practical steps that the parties affected by the disputed status of Taiwan might take to reassure one another, moving beyond an exclusive reliance on deterrence strategies. To this end, the Institute invited scholars and former policymakers from Mainland China, Taiwan, the United States, and Japan, along with experts from Europe and New Zealand, to contribute to an international study group.

Building the Dialogue

Since its launch, the TRC has convened two virtual meetings (24 January and 3 April 2025) and this third in-person workshop in Tokyo. These gatherings provided a forum for dialogue among distinguished participants, including Dr Shao Yuqun, Professor Huang Kwei-Bo, Professor Wang Zheng, Rear Admiral Katsuya Yamamoto, and Lieutenant-General Ambassador Karl W. Eikenberry.

The convenor, Professor Hugh Miall, prepared a draft report entitled Reassurance over Taiwan: Practical Measures to Secure a Peaceful Way Forward, which summarises the main findings of the discussions. TRC members are also preparing individual papers offering perspectives from their respective national contexts.

Outcomes of the Tokyo Workshop

The Tokyo workshop centred on a critical discussion of the draft report and on refining the individual essays for forthcoming publication. Through collaborative dialogue, participants sought to:

Clarify the reassurance measures most desired by each party. Identify what assurances each side might credibly offer to others. Develop practical proposals for reducing tensions and enhancing regional trust.

By advancing these initiatives, the workshop contributes to the broader goal of promoting peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, with positive implications for regional and global security.

Since the workshop, several Toda Policy Briefs have been published, written by participants in the workshop (and more will be coming). Access all publications here. 

Further Reading

Papers on Taiwan reassurance measures are available here: 

Policy Brief No.235: Clash of Dreams, Clash of Identities: Taiwan Between Deterrence and Reassurance: Zheng Wang

Policy Brief No.232: The Current Need for ‘Reassurance’ in the Taiwan Strait: A Chinese Mainland Perspective: Shao Yuqun

Policy Brief No.229: Military Aspects of Deterrence and Reassurance Regarding Cross-Taiwan Strait Conflict: Karl Eikenberry