The Taiwan “Honest Maps” provision, long championed by Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI), was included in the Fiscal Year 2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP) Appropriations Act (later reported as H.R.8595), which the House Appropriations Committee approved on April 28, 2026.

This provision mandates that: “None of the funds made available by the Act should be used to create, procure, or display any map that inaccurately depicts the territory and social and economic system of Taiwan and the islands or the island groups administered by Taiwan authorities.”
 
“Honest Maps” Measures

The “Honest Maps” effort began at least in 2021, when Rep. Tom Tiffany and several House colleagues successfully advanced an amendment to the FY2022 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) Appropriations Act to prohibit the use of funds for maps inaccurately depicting Taiwan as part of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

Later in 2022, Congress enacted a broader version of this language in the FY2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act, barring funds for maps that inaccurately depict Taiwan’s territory and social and economic system, as part of ongoing efforts to promote accurate depictions of Taiwan on maps in federal publications.

In 2023, Rep. Tiffany’s “Honest Maps” amendment was adopted during House consideration of the annual National Defense Authorization Act, prohibiting the Department of Defense from creating, procuring, or displaying maps that depict Taiwan as part of the PRC.

In 2025, during the floor debate on the FY2026 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, Rep. Tiffany underscored this commitment, stating that “by every measure, Taiwan is a sovereign, democratic, and independent nation,” and that official U.S. maps should reflect the basic reality that “China is China, and Taiwan is Taiwan.”
 
Implications
 
The Taiwan “Honest Maps” provision is not merely symbolic; it has practical effects on official and public perceptions by ensuring that federally funded maps depict Taiwan accurately. Its recurring inclusion in appropriations legislation reflects the continued and consistent institutionalization of Congressional efforts to prevent U.S. government materials from legitimizing Beijing’s false sovereignty claims over Taiwan. It also reinforces the clear distinction between Taiwan and China in U.S. policy, public communication, and federal practice.
 
Sources:
[1] H.R.8595 (FY27 NSRP Appropriations Bill)   [2] House Appropriations Committee   [3] Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA)   [4] FAPA   [5] Office of Rep. Tom Tiffany   [6] FAPA   [7] US House Clerk (Rep. Tiffany’s Remarks)

President Lai Arrives in Eswatini as Global Solidarity Strengthens Against Beijing’s Weaponization of Airspace Access

On May 2, 2026, President Lai Ching-te successfully arrived in Eswatini, Taiwan’s sole diplomatic ally in Africa. Originally scheduled for April 22, the visit was delayed by ten days after Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar abruptly revoked overflight clearances under coercive pressure from Beijing.
 
Following strategic coordination by Taiwan’s diplomatic and national security teams, President Lai completed the journey to celebrate the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III’s accession to the throne. Upon his arrival, he reaffirmed that international engagement is an “inalienable right” of the Taiwanese people, stating that Taiwan does not seek confrontation but will respond to “unfair suppression” with “justice and reason.”
 
Growing Overseas Taiwanese Solidarity

Beijing’s attempt to block President Lai’s scheduled visit to Eswatini ignited a powerful wave of overseas Taiwanese mobilization. On April 23, the Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA) led an international coalition of 33 overseas Taiwanese organizations in issuing a joint statement condemning Beijing for “weaponizing airspace access.”
 
By the time President Lai arrived in Eswatini, the coalition had grown to 37 organizations. The coalition emphasized that Taiwan is a sovereign and independent country and that its 23 million people have the absolute right to engage freely with the world on their own terms, while demanding that the international community act to deter the PRC’s coercion against third countries.
 
U.S. Lawmaker Calls for Consequences
 
Beijing’s diplomatic sabotage has also sparked a sharp response in Washington. On April 23, U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany (R-WI) issued a formal letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, urging the U.S. government to hold the complicit countries accountable through specific punitive measures:

• Freezing more than US$100 million in U.S. foreign assistance commitments to Madagascar;
• Adding Mauritius to the U.S. “travel ban” list under the Immigration and Nationality Act; and
• Suspending any consideration of Seychelles for the U.S. Visa Waiver Program.

Rep. Tiffany described the arbitrary revocation of overflight clearances as an irresponsible action and a breach of international civil aviation norms that sets a dangerous precedent. 

Implications

Ultimately, President Lai’s successful visit serves as a powerful testament that Beijing’s coercion cannot erase Taiwan’s international partnerships or deny the Taiwanese people’s right to engage with the world.

At the same time, the growing overseas Taiwanese coalition demonstrates how diaspora solidarity can effectively transform outrage into decisive political momentum, as members of U.S. Congress call for concrete consequences in response to Beijing’s coercive actions.

This episode underscores that while the PRC may attempt to physically obstruct Taiwan’s diplomacy, such tactics only serve to harden international resolve and unify the global Taiwanese community.

Sources:
[1] Focus Taiwan   [2] FAPA   [3] FAPA   [4] Taiwan News

Taiwan Tests Whole-of-Society Defense, Sharpens U.S.-Aligned Readiness in Nationwide Exercises

Taiwan’s 2026 urban resilience drills kicked off on April 22, marking the start of a nationwide effort to strengthen civil defense preparedness in coordination with the military’s Han Kuang 42 computer-simulated command post exercise (CPX).
 
The opening drill mobilized alternative service personnel and municipal governments, supporting air raid alerts, evacuation maneuvers, and disaster response operations. Additional urban resilience drills are planned in 10 other municipalities across Taiwan this year.
 
Meanwhile, the broader Han Kuang 42 exercises began with computer-assisted tabletop war games from April 11 to 24, while its live-fire phase is expected to take place this summer. This year’s drills will also test troops across four U.S.-style rehearsal methods designed to bolster unit-level coordination, operational execution, and U.S.–Taiwan alignment on combat readiness.
 
No Scripts, No Shortcuts
 
The 2026 urban resilience drills underscore the Taiwanese government’s continued commitment to institutionalizing “whole-of-society” resilience to deter authoritarian aggression. Unlike more scripted exercises of the past, participants and municipalities are prohibited from making prior preparations — such as pre-positioning supplies or setting up facilities — forcing them to respond in real time to simulated crises.
 
Deputy Minister of National Defense Hsu Szu-chien (徐斯儉) emphasized that the goal is not choreographed performance but genuine proficiency, with trained evaluation teams grading each stage of the exercise to identify weaknesses and prevent superficial compliance. The defense ministry has also introduced standardized metrics to ensure participants develop practical capabilities rather than treating drills as routine formalities.
 
U.S.–Taiwan Alignment on Combat Readiness
 
The four U.S.-style rehearsal methods being tested in this year’s Han Kuang exercises are: combined arms rehearsals (CAR), confirmation briefs or backbriefs, support rehearsals, and battle drills or SOP rehearsals.
 
A senior defense official noted that while Taiwan’s military has long maintained similar operational concepts, growing security exchanges with the United States are driving more rigorous implementation of these rehearsal methods, aimed at empowering frontline troops as active decision-makers and strengthening overall combat effectiveness.
 
Implications
 
Together, these reforms reflect a profound transformation in Taiwan’s defense posture as a sovereign and self-reliant democracy. As highlighted by American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Raymond Greene following his visit to Taiwan’s Central Joint Emergency Operations Center (CJEOC), Taiwan has made “significant strides” in integrating ministries, local governments, infrastructure providers, and civil society into a coordinated response framework. Proactively demonstrating the will to prepare, he emphasized, is in itself a key element of deterrence essential to preserving peace.
 
For the people of Taiwan, this whole-of-society approach represents much more than a tactical exercise; it is a foundational democratic resilience strategy that strengthens Taiwan’s ability to withstand authoritarian coercion, support military operations, and demonstrate to both allies and adversaries that the Taiwanese people are unwavering in their resolve to defend their free and sovereign homeland.

Sources:
[1] Focus Taiwan   [2] Taipei Times   [3] Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND)   [4] Taipei Times   [5] Storm Media   [6] AIT Director Raymond Greene’s LinkedIn account   [7] Focus Taiwan

Don’t Miss PBS Broadcasts of Invisible Nation, an Award-Winning Documentary on Taiwan’s Democracy!

Starting May 1, 2026, the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) began broadcasting Invisible Nation, an award-winning documentary about Taiwan’s vibrant democracy and Taiwan’s first female president, Tsai Ing-wen. The film has already achieved carriage in over 77% of U.S. media markets, bringing Taiwan’s story to living rooms across America!
 
To celebrate Taiwanese American Heritage Week, the Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA) has co-organized a nationwide university tour of Invisible Nation with film director Vanessa Hope and the film’s production team. The tour has already reached over 1,000 attendees and is on track to span 19 university campuses across 11 states.
 
See if your local PBS station is broadcasting Invisible Nation by clicking here.
 
Invisible Nation is also available to stream for free on PBS.org and the PBS Passport app.

Source:
[1] FAPA

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On April 22, 2026, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee released the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP) appropriations bill, which prioritizes key U.S. foreign policy, diplomatic, and national security objectives. The bill allocates $47.32 billion in total discretionary funding to bolster diplomacy, enhance security assistance, and advance U.S. strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific, including unwavering support for key partners such as Taiwan and robust efforts to counter the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) malign influence.
 
Despite total discretionary spending being reduced by $2.69 billion (6%) below the FY26 enacted level, Taiwan is a significant priority within the bill’s Indo-Pacific focus. The bill provides not less than $500 million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) Program for Taiwan to support its acquisition of U.S. defense articles, services, and training, and to bolster its defense capabilities. Furthermore, it directs the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, to “prioritize the delivery of defense articles and services to Taiwan.”
 
Why It Matters
 
The bill further institutionalizes Taiwan’s international participation as a factor in U.S. foreign assistance policy. It mandates the Secretary of State to consider whether recipient countries of U.S. economic assistance cooperate with U.S. priorities, including support for Taiwan’s participation in multilateral forums, when determining aid allocations — effectively leveraging U.S. assistance mechanisms to incentivize diplomatic support for Taiwan.
 
Notably, the legislation maintains a crucial provision prohibiting appropriated funds from being used to create, procure, or display any map that inaccurately depicts the territory and social and economic system of Taiwan and the islands or island groups administered by Taiwan authorities.
 
At the same time, the legislation adopts a hardline stance against the PRC’s malign influence globally. It allocates $1.8 billion for U.S. national security interests in the Indo-Pacific, including $400 million for a dedicated Countering PRC Influence Fund (CPIF) to curb Beijing’s global and regional malign influence. The bill also explicitly prohibits third countries from using U.S. foreign assistance to repay debts owed to Communist China.
 
Implications
 
House Appropriations Committee Vice Chair and National Security Subcommittee Chairman Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL) underscored that the legislation reinforces strong U.S. commitments to Indo-Pacific partners, including Taiwan, the Philippines, and Pacific Island countries.
 
The bill also signals a more operational approach to supporting Taiwan, including military financing and a linkage between U.S. foreign assistance decisions and partner countries’ support for Taiwan’s international participation. Taken together, these provisions move beyond symbolic backing toward more tangible tools and underscore Taiwan’s vital place among core U.S. national security interests in the Indo-Pacific.
 
Sources:
[1] House Appropriations Committee   [2] FY27 NSRP Appropriations Bill (Full Bill Text)   [3] Focus Taiwan   [4] House Appropriations Committee (Remarks by Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart)

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On April 21, 2026, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te was forced to postpone his five-day visit to Eswatini, Taiwan’s sole diplomatic ally in Africa, after China pressured third countries along the flight route to revoke overflight clearance for his chartered aircraft.
 
The postponement was announced less than 24 hours before President Lai’s planned departure, after Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar abruptly revoked overflight clearance for the presidential charter plane. The move followed intense Chinese political pressure and economic coercion, representing a flagrant example of Beijing’s diplomatic warfare and its unprecedented attempt to weaponize airspace access to isolate and bully Taiwan.
 
U.S. Congressional Reaction
 
Several U.S. lawmakers and key Congressional committees have issued statements strongly condemning China’s actions:

• The House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority, under the leadership of Chairman Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL), described the incident as yet another attempt by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to “bully Taiwan,a close partner of the United States” and stated that the U.S. “stand[s] with Taiwan against this blatant coercion.”

• Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, condemned China’s actions as a “disturbing breach of civil aviation norms” and urged the U.S. government to prevent China from normalizing such tactics, while calling for a “clear-eyed” reassessment of relations with countries that quickly bend to Beijing’s pressure.

• The House Select Committee on the CCP, led by Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Ranking Member Ro Khanna (D-CA), reaffirmed U.S. support for Taiwan amid this controversy, stating that this is “not diplomacy” but “economic pressure” aimed at isolating a democratic partner, and that Taiwan has the “right to engage freely with the international community.”

 
Overseas Taiwanese Solidarity: A Call to Action

On April 23, 2026, the Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA) led an international coalition of 33 overseas Taiwanese organizations in issuing a joint statement strongly condemning Beijing for weaponizing airspace access to bully Taiwan and block President Lai Ching-te’s planned visit. The coalition affirmed that Taiwan is a sovereign and independent country, and that its 23 million people have the absolute right to engage freely with the world on their own terms.

The coalition also called on the U.S. government and the international community to stand in solidarity with Taiwan by condemning the PRC’s coercion and urging Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar to immediately restore overflight clearance for President Lai’s plane.

(For the complete list of signatories, please see the joint statement HERE.)

Sources:
[1] Focus Taiwan   [2] Taiwan’s Presidential Office   [3] House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority’s Official X Account   [4] Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman’s Official X Account   [5] House Select Committee on the CCP’s Official X Account   [6] Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA)

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On April 14, 2026, U.S. Senators John Curtis (R-UT) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) introduced the latest version of the bipartisan Taiwan Relations Reinforcement Act (S.4294). This legislation seeks to strengthen congressional oversight and assess whether the United States maintains the military posture, industrial capacity, allied support, and operational readiness necessary to fully implement the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) in the event of a Taiwan contingency, including scenarios involving simultaneous global conflicts.
 
Why It Matters
 
Unlike previous versions, this bill introduces statutory definitions to address modern warfare, including “gray zone tactics” and “Taiwan contingency,” reflecting the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) growing and evolving aggression toward Taiwan.
 
Critically, this legislation requires annual reporting and classified briefings to Congress on U.S. operational sustainability. It mandates a comprehensive report by the Secretary of War on whether the U.S. can uphold its commitments under the TRA while simultaneously responding to aggression from Russia, Iran, North Korea, or terrorist groups. As Senator Cortez Masto stated, the goal is to ensure U.S. strategic and military readiness so that “we cannot wait for the first shot to catch us unaware.”
 
Congressional Momentum
 
This bill represents the latest evolution in a long-standing bipartisan effort to strengthen and further institutionalize the framework of U.S.-Taiwan engagement and cooperation.
 
The Taiwan Relations Reinforcement Act was originally championed by former Senator (and current Secretary of State) Marco Rubio, who introduced versions in 2020, 2021, and 2023.
 
The 2025 version (S.1588), reintroduced by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and John Curtis (R-UT), aimed to elevate U.S.-Taiwan political engagement, expand economic and security cooperation, support Taiwan’s international participation, and coordinate U.S. strategies to counter Chinese coercion.
 
By contrast, the latest 2026 version (S.4294) shifts the focus toward rigorous operational accountability by requiring a granular audit of the U.S. defense industrial base and military posture. It ensures that deterrence is a measurable capacity backed by munitions sufficiency, logistical resilience, and the ability to sustain high-intensity operations for at least one year, even amid simultaneous global conflicts.
 
Implications
 
The repeated introduction and refinement of the Taiwan Relations Reinforcement Act reflect escalating cross-Strait tensions and the sustained bipartisan Congressional commitment to support Taiwan. Its evolution from a broader political and economic framework in earlier versions to operational priorities centered on U.S.-Taiwan security cooperation, strategic deterrence, and military readiness amid global conflicts highlights a broader effort to deepen and fully operationalize the U.S.-Taiwan relationship.
 
Sources:
[1] Office of Sen. John Curtis   [2] Full Text of S.4294 (Taiwan Relations Reinforcement Act)   [3] S.4294 (Taiwan Relations Reinforcement Act)   [4] Taiwan News   [5] H.R.2479, 96th Congress (Taiwan Relations Act)   [6] Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA)   [7] Office of Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto   [8] S.1588 (Taiwan Relations Reinforcement Act of 2025)

Taiwan-Born NASA Astronaut Set to Advance U.S.-Taiwan Space Partnerships

On April 15, 2026, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) announced that Taipei-born U.S. astronaut Dr. Kjell N. Lindgren will visit Taiwan to promote bilateral space collaboration. Dr. Lindgren’s visit will run from April 21 to 25. It is part of the Freedom 250 Initiative, a nationwide project celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
 
Born in Taipei to a U.S. Air Force family, Dr. Lindgren spent part of his early childhood in Taiwan before his family moved abroad. While completing his two long-duration space missions, he took striking images of Taiwan from the International Space Station. Today, he serves as Deputy Director of the Flight Operations Directorate at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
 
Why It Matters
 
Dr. Lindgren’s trip to Taiwan is the most recent in a series of initiatives focused on deepening U.S.-Taiwan cooperation in the space sector to bolster national resilience.
 
On November 29, 2025, the Taiwan Space Agency (TASA) launched FS-8A, the first satellite in the FORMOSAT-8 constellation, from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, further expanding Taiwan’s indigenous satellite network. On March 24, 2026, TASA’s Director-General Dr. Jong-Shinn Wu confirmed that Taiwan is currently contributing to international space projects, including a planned lunar data center and precision equipment for NASA’s Perseverance Mars mission.
 
On February 4, 2026, the Taiwan and American Space Assistance (TASA) Act (H.R.5626), which seeks to expand cooperation between TASA, NASA, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), passed the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology as an amendment to the NASA Reauthorization Act of 2026 (H.R.7273). One month later, in early March, its Senate companion (S.3979) advanced through the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

The Formosan Association of Public Affairs (FAPA) also co-hosted a closed-door Congressional roundtable with the Office of Rep. French Hill in late March, featuring TASA Director-General Dr. Wu, to discuss Taiwan’s space development and the geopolitical importance of U.S.-Taiwan space cooperation in providing critical situational awareness.
 
Implications
 
According to the AIT, Dr. Lindgren will meet with key stakeholders across Taiwan’s space industry to promote “cutting-edge technological partnerships and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.” As Taiwan’s space capabilities continue to advance, such partnerships will be essential not only for strengthening U.S.-Taiwan relations but also for bolstering the resilience and global leadership of the broader U.S. space ecosystem — especially in forging secure, “non-red” supply chains and hardening Taiwan’s communication infrastructure against potential blockades.
 
Sources:
[1] American Institute in Taiwan (AIT)   [2] Freedom 250 Initiative   [3] Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA)   [4] H.R.5626 (TASA Act of 2025)   [5] FAPA   [6] H.R.7273 (NASA Reauthorization Act of 2026)   [7] S.3979 (TASA Act of 2026)   [8] Taipei Times   [9] Taipei Times   [10] FAPA

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FAPA Mobilizes Community to Bring Invisible Nation across the U.S. through PBS Broadcast and University Tour for Taiwanese American Heritage Week

The Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA) is driving a nationwide public education campaign to promote Taiwan’s story across the United States through the Invisible Nation university screening tour and the Public Broadcasting System (PBS), with the documentary scheduled for nationwide broadcasts beginning May 1, 2026.

“We wanted the PBS airdate of Invisible Nation to kick off the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and of course, our own Taiwanese American Heritage Week, so that communities across the country could learn Taiwan’s story directly,” said Dr. Su-Mei Kao (林素梅), National President of FAPA. “The struggle for democracy in Taiwan, and the experience of having your identity marginalized, resonates deeply with Taiwanese Americans who have long fought simply to be recognized as Taiwanese. Taiwanese American Heritage Week invites everyone to explore more deeply about Taiwan’s democratic journey, statehood, and identity.”

“Through initiatives like this university tour, we are ensuring that Taiwan is understood on its own terms,” Dr. Kao added.

Bringing Taiwan’s Story to the Next Generation

Since March, FAPA has co-organized a national university tour of Invisible Nation with film director Vanessa Hope and the film’s production team. Key campus partners — including the Alexander Hamilton Society (an organization of foreign policy and national security students) — and local FAPA chapters have facilitated these campus events. Organizations such as TaiwaneseAmerican.org and the Taiwanese Association of America (TAA-USA) also contributed to making the university tour possible.

The tour has already reached over 1,000 attendees and is on track to span 19 university campuses across 11 states, including Yale University, the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Florida.

Each stop features panel discussions with leading diplomats, policymakers, and scholars, providing the next generation of leaders in foreign policy and national security with a deeper and more grounded understanding of Taiwan.

Taiwan’s Story in Living Rooms Across America

Beginning May 1, 2026, PBS will begin broadcasting Invisible Nation on local stations across the country. The film has already achieved carriage in over 77% of U.S. media markets, and that number is expected to climb.

This milestone was made possible in large part through the generosity and mobilization of individual donors within the FAPA community — reflecting a deep commitment to bringing Taiwan’s story to a national audience.

FAPA is grateful to the following donors whose generosity made the PBS broadcast possible:

• Professor Chen Wen-Chen Memorial Foundation (美國陳文成教授紀念基金會)
• Ching-I and Esther Hsu (徐清一、廖愛信)
• Hwa-Lin Lee (李華林)
• San Fu Lee (李三富)
• Fu-Wen Evan and Elena Ling (林富文、黃美惠)
• Ming-shian and Justina Wu (吳銘賢、謝節惠) of WU Family Charitable Fund
• Nicholas and Su Syin Wu (吳仲輝、吳素心)

Catch a PBS Broadcast during the Taiwanese American Heritage Week*:

• Boston (WGBH) — May 3 (Sun) at 7 p.m. & May 9 (Sat) at 7 p.m.
• Chicago (WTTW) — May 10 (Sun) at 10:30 p.m.
• San Diego (KPBS) — May 12 (Tue) at 11 p.m.
• Honolulu (PBS Hawai‘i) — May 12 (Tue) at 9 p.m.
• Los Angeles (KVCR) — May 13 (Wed) at 9:30 p.m.
• Columbus/Athens (WOUB) — May 16 (Sat) at 9 p.m.
• Washington, D.C./Maryland (WMPT) — May 17 (Sun) at 4:30 p.m.
• Atlanta (WABE) — May 17 (Sun) at 10 p.m.
• San Francisco (KQED) — May 18 (Mon) at 9 p.m.

*Not a comprehensive list of broadcasts.

For more listings, please check your local PBS station for additional broadcast times.

Other ways to watch

The film will be available to stream for free on PBS.org and the PBS Passport app beginning May 1, 2026.

響應台美人傳統週：FAPA 動員台美人社群，透過校園巡迴與 PBS 播映，將紀錄片《看不見的國家》推向全美

台灣人公共事務會（FAPA）正動員台美人社群，透過紀錄片《看不見的國家》（Invisible Nation）的大學巡迴放映及美國公共電視網（PBS）播映，推動一場全國性的公共教育行動，向美國社會講述台灣的故事。該紀錄片預計自 2026 年 5 月 1 日起，於全美各地 PBS 電視台陸續播出。

FAPA 總會會長林素梅博士表示：「我們特別將《看不見的國家》於 PBS 的首播安排在『亞太裔美國人傳統月』（Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month）之初，並銜接『台美人傳統週』（Taiwanese American Heritage Week），希望讓全美各地的社群與觀眾有機會直接認識台灣的故事。台灣爭取民主的奮鬥歷程，以及其身分認同長期遭到邊緣化的經驗，與台美人社群經年不懈爭取『台灣人』身份正名的經驗產生深刻共鳴。台美人傳統週邀請全美各界更深入地探索台灣的 民主進程、國家地位與身分認同。」

林會長強調：「透過校園巡迴等倡議行動，FAPA 致力於確保台灣能以自身的主體脈絡被世界理解。」

深耕校園對話：將台灣故事傳承給下一代

自今年 3 月起，FAPA 與《看不見的國家》導演葛靜文（Vanessa Hope）及其紀錄片製作團隊合作，策劃並推動全美大學巡迴放映。主要的校園合作夥伴 —— 包括由外交政策與國家安全領域學生組成的全國性組織 「亞歷山大．漢密爾頓協會」（Alexander Hamilton Society） —— 以及 FAPA 各地分會，共同協力促成了這些校園活動。此外，TaiwaneseAmerican.org 與全美台灣同鄉會（TAA-USA）等團體亦為校園巡迴的成功舉辦貢獻良多。

《看不見的國家》校園巡迴放映至今已吸引超過 1,000 名觀眾參與，預計將橫跨全美 11 個州、19 所大學校園，包括耶魯大學、加州大學柏克萊分校及佛羅里達大學等知名學府。

每場放映會均搭配專題座談，邀請外交官、政策制定者及學者專家參與，為新一代外交與國安領域的領袖人才提供更具體、深入的台灣視野。

走入全美家庭：透過 PBS 擴大台灣能見度

自 2026 年 5 月 1 日起，PBS 將開始在全美各地的地方電視台播映《看不見的國家》。目前該片已在超過 77% 的全美電視市場獲得播映權，且預計該數字將持續攀升。

此一重要里程碑，很大程度上歸功於  FAPA 會員的慷慨捐助與積極動員，展現了台美人社群堅持將台灣故事帶向全美大眾視野的共同信念。

FAPA 誠摯感謝以下捐款人的慷慨解囊，促成此次 PBS 全美播映計畫：

• Professor Chen Wen-Chen Memorial Foundation（美國陳文成教授紀念基金會）
• Ching-I and Esther Hsu（徐清一、廖愛信）
• Hwa-Lin Lee（李華林）
• San Fu Lee（李三富）
• Fu-Wen Evan and Elena Ling（林富文、黃美惠）
• WU Family Charitable Fund — Ming-shian and Justina Wu（吳銘賢、謝節惠）
• Nicholas and Su Syin Wu（吳仲輝、吳素心）

「台美人傳統週」期間及其前後  PBS 播出時段如下（部分）*

• 波士頓（WGBH）：5 月 3 日晚間 7 時；5 月 9 日晚間 7 時
• 芝加哥（WTTW）：5 月 10 日晚間 10 時 30 分
• 聖地牙哥（KPBS）：5 月 12 日晚間 11 時
• 檀香山（PBS Hawai‘i）：5 月 12 日晚間 9 時
• 洛杉磯（KVCR）：5 月 13 日晚間 9 時 30 分
• 俄亥俄州 Columbus／Athens（WOUB）：5 月 16 日晚間 9 時
• 華盛頓特區／馬里蘭（WMPT）：5 月 17 日下午 4 時 30 分
• 亞特蘭大（WABE）：5 月 17 日晚間 10 時
• 舊金山（KQED）：5 月 18 日晚間 9 時

* 本列表並非完整播映清單。更多時段請洽詢您當地的  PBS 電視台。

其他觀賞方式

《看不見的國家》將自 2026 年 5 月 1 日起，於 PBS.org 及 PBS Passport 應用程式免費提供線上觀看。 

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Peace cannot be achieved by compromising with authoritarian regimes, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te asserted on April 10, 2026, warning that appeasement would only undermine Taiwan’s sovereignty and its democratic way of life. Lai issued these remarks on his Facebook page ahead of a highly controversial meeting later that day in Beijing between Kuomintang (KMT) Chairperson Cheng Li-wun and Chinese Communist Party (CCP) General Secretary Xi Jinping.
 
Condemning the Cheng-Xi “United Front” Meeting
 
During the meeting, Cheng echoed the CCP’s political warfare narratives, specifically the “rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” In the context of Beijing’s expansionist agenda, this phrase refers to the CCP’s goal to turn China into a global superpower by 2049 — the 100th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) — and explicitly connotes the unilateral annexation of Taiwan into the PRC.

In Taipei, senior officials of the Lai administration condemned Cheng for acting as a “united front accomplice” and denounced the political signaling of the visit. They asserted that Cheng’s alignment with Beijing’s narratives ignores Taiwan’s mainstream public opinion and that her proposed “peace framework” is merely a thinly veiled unification blueprint intended to surrender Taiwan’s sovereignty to China.
 
While not mentioning the Cheng-Xi meeting directly, President Lai warned against any policy of capitulation to the PRC. Taiwan “has ideals about peace, but not unrealistic illusions,” Lai stated, adding that history proves that compromising with authoritarian regimes comes at the cost of sovereignty and democracy, failing to yield either freedom or lasting peace.
 
The TRA: A Cornerstone for U.S.-Taiwan Relations
 
Lai also noted that April 10 marked the 47th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA). He emphasized that the law, along with the Six Assurances, reflected the shared values of democracy, freedom, and human rights and remains a key pillar of Indo-Pacific stability.
 
The TRA explicitly stipulates that any attempt to resolve Taiwan’s future by non-peaceful means is a “grave concern” to the United States. The Act commits the U.S. to provide Taiwan with the arms and services necessary for a sufficient self-defense posture and requires the U.S. to maintain the capacity to resist any force or form of coercion against Taiwan. Furthermore, the Act allows the U.S. to pragmatically treat Taiwan as a sovereign State in practice, ensuring that U.S. laws pertaining to foreign states or governments apply equally to Taiwan.
 
Implications for Regional Security
 
47 years after the TRA’s enactment, the U.S. commitment to Taiwan’s security remains a steadfast bipartisan consensus in Washington. Lai concluded by asserting that the international community recognizes that defending Taiwan is synonymous with defending the front line of freedom and democracy.
 
He further warned that the opposition’s continued stalling of critical defense funding only emboldens the CCP aggressor in Beijing and directly jeopardizes Taiwan’s national security.
 
Sources:
[1] Focus Taiwan   [2] Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s Official Facebook Page   [3] Taipei Times   [4] H.R.2479, 96th Congress (Taiwan Relations Act)   [5] Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA) 

U.S. Lawmakers Reaffirm “Peace Through Strength” During Pivotal Taiwan Visits

From April 5 to 11, 2026, a Congressional delegation (CODEL) led by U.S. Representative Zach Nunn (R-IA), chair of the Republican Study Committee’s (RSC) National Security Task Force, visited Taiwan. Nunn was joined by Reps. Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI), Julie Fedorchak (R-ND), and Jefferson Shreve (R-IN) for the week-long mission to bolster bilateral defense ties.
 
In the same week, U.S. Senator Jim Banks (R-IN), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, also visited Taiwan from April 7 to 9. Both delegations urged Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan to pass the stalled NT$1.25 trillion (approximately US$40 billion) special defense budget as a critical signal of national resolve and a concrete commitment to “peace through strength.”
 
Why It Matters
 
The primary objective of both delegations was to reaffirm U.S. support for Taiwan’s security and deepen the bilateral security partnership, while specifically urging the Legislative Yuan to pass the stalled special defense budget as a necessary response to the escalating security challenges posed by China.

• Representative Nunn stated that the delegation recognizes that the threats to Taiwan’s security are real, and the RSC truly believes in “peace through strength.” He added that this principle can also extend to the bilateral economic partnership, calling for deeper bilateral trade and investment ties.

• Passing the special defense budget in the legislature is“a signal to China, and to the rest of the world, that Taiwan is serious about peace through strength,” Senator Banks said.

Taiwan’s Special Defense Budget
 
The passage of the proposed NT$1.25 trillion (about US$40 billion) special defense budget is increasingly seen in Washington as a crucial litmus test of Taiwan’s resolve to defend itself.
 
Senator Banks was among the 37 bipartisan U.S. lawmakers who, in February 2026, sent a joint letter to Taiwan’s opposition leaders — who currently hold a collective legislative majority — conveying deep concern about the legislature stalling essential defense spending plans.
 
While the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) have continued to block the special defense budget, citing their refusal to sign “blank checks,” their actions have drawn sharp criticism from both the administration and international observers.
 
The entire KMT caucus was notably absent from the cross-party caucus negotiations (黨團協商) on April 9, prompting Defense Minister Wellington Koo to make an emotional plea for national unity and military resilience. Minister Koo emphasized that Taiwan cannot expect international assistance if it fails to demonstrate a commitment to its own defense.
 
Evolving Security Challenges
 
Amid heightened Chinese military pressure — including Beijing’s unusual 40-day “offshore airspace restrictions” over the Yellow and East China Seas running from late March to early May — both U.S. CODELs made it clear that the United States views the passage of Taiwan’s special defense budget as a critical step toward enhancing deterrence and sustaining strong bilateral security cooperation.
 
The delegations emphasized that such a commitment is essential for Taiwan to remain a credible partner in the face of China’s persistent aggression and gray-zone tactics.
 
Sources:
[1] Focus Taiwan   [2] Taipei Times   [3] Taiwan’s Presidential Office   [4] Taiwan’s Presidential Office   [5] Liberty Times   [6] Taipei Times

Taiwan’s Freedom of Speech Day Highlights Shared Democratic Values Between Taiwan and the United States

The Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA) joined Taiwanese communities worldwide in commemorating Taiwan’s Freedom of Speech Day on April 7, 2026, and issued a statement honoring the legacy of the late democracy activist Cheng Nan-jung (鄭南榕), also known as “Nylon.” Cheng self-immolated in 1989 to protest the authoritarian Kuomintang (KMT) regime’s attempt to unjustly arrest him on sedition charges.
 
The Pursuit of “100 Percent Freedom of Speech”
 
Cheng was the founder and editor-in-chief of The Freedom Era Weekly, which he launched in 1984 with the explicit mission of “fighting for 100 percent freedom of speech.” Through the publication, Cheng advocated for Taiwan independence, democratic reform, freedom of expression, and the inalienable right of the Taiwanese people to self-determination.
 
After publishing Dr. Hsu Shih-kai’s (許世楷) “Draft Constitution of the Taiwan Republic” in 1988, Cheng was charged with sedition. Refusing to submit to the unjust arrest, he resisted authorities during a 71-day standoff before self-immolating on April 7, 1989. His sacrifice has since become a powerful symbol of Taiwan’s pursuit of independence, liberty, democracy, and human rights.
 
FAPA’s Evolving Advocacy and Mission
 
Taiwan’s annual commemoration of Freedom of Speech Day underscores the foundational democratic values shared by both Taiwan and the United States: freedom of speech and expression. Just as the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects free speech as a fundamental right, Taiwan’s Freedom of Speech Day serves as a poignant reminder that this liberty must be continually defended.
 
In its statement, FAPA highlighted its longstanding role in supporting Taiwan’s democratization. FAPA National President Dr. Su-Mei Kao (林素梅) noted that Taiwan’s democratic transition was shaped by decades of arduous struggle and advocacy both within Taiwan and across the globe.
 
She emphasized that FAPA, founded by Taiwanese American activists in 1982, worked closely in its early years with a bipartisan coalition of leaders in the U.S. Congress, including Senators Claiborne Pell (D-RI) and Edward Kennedy (D-MA), as well as Representatives Stephen Solarz (D-NY) and Jim Leach (R-IA), to advance democracy and human rights in Taiwan.
 
Defending Taiwan’s Hard-Earned Democracy
 
Dr. Kao emphasized that the freedom and democracy enjoyed by the Taiwanese people today were hard-won through the courage, determination, and sacrifices of countless activists like Cheng Nan-jung. Warning that Taiwan faces escalating aggression and threats from China, she asserted that “democracy and independence are not destinations, but continuous commitments that must be actively protected,” reaffirming FAPA’s mission to safeguard Taiwan’s democracy and consolidate its independent statehood on the international stage.
 
Sources:
[1] Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA)   [2] Nylon Cheng Liberty Foundation ‧ Memorial Museum   [3] Nylon Cheng Liberty Foundation ‧ Memorial Museum

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Four critical Taiwan-related bills were recently introduced or advanced in the U.S. Congress: the Blue Skies for Taiwan Act and the First Island Chain Deterrence Act were both introduced in the Senate on March 26, 2026; the Chip Security Act was unanimously advanced by the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) also on March 26; and the Critical Undersea Infrastructure Resilience Initiative Act was introduced in the House on April 2.
 
Why They Matter

• Blue Skies for Taiwan Act (S.4259): Introduced by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Andy Kim (D-NJ), and John Curtis (R-UT), this bill promotes the development of secure, resilient unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The bipartisan effort will identify strategic roadblocks and expand opportunities for the U.S. and Taiwan to create PRC-independent drone systems and components to bolster both Taiwan’s defense and U.S. national security.

• First Island Chain Deterrence Act (S.4223): Sponsored by Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE), this legislation tackles the critical backlog in U.S. arms deliveries to Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines. It directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate bureaucratic bottlenecks that hinder the “strong denial defense” strategy outlined in the 2026 National Defense Strategy, ensuring that Taiwan and other regional partners receive purchased weapons without further delay.

• Chip Security Act (H.R.3447): Introduced by Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI) in May 2025 and advanced by HFAC in late March 2026, this act aims to prevent the illicit diversion of advanced AI chips to foreign adversaries, specifically the PRC. The bill requires advanced chip manufacturers to adopt technical security safeguards, including location-verification mechanisms, to prevent smuggling to unauthorized end users. This act ensures U.S. and allied innovations do not power the Chinese military’s AI-driven capabilities.

• Critical Undersea Infrastructure Resilience Initiative Act (H.R.8177): Introduced by Representatives Mike Lawler (R-NY), Dave Min (D-CA), and Greg Stanton (D-AZ), this act addresses the PRC’s “gray zone” sabotage of Taiwan’s undersea cables. It mandates real-time monitoring systems, establishes a Cross-Strait Contingency Planning Group, and authorizes targeted sanctions against those complicit in sabotaging critical undersea systems affecting Taiwan and U.S. allies.

Implications

Collectively, these legislative measures bolster U.S.-Taiwan defense integration by institutionalizing cooperation on PRC-independent drone production, accelerating arms deliveries to First Island Chain partners, tightening safeguards against the diversion of advanced AI chips to the PRC, and hardening the protection of Taiwan’s critical undersea infrastructure.

These bills underscore the growing bipartisan focus on Taiwan’s pivotal role in regional security. They enhance Taiwan’s capacity to operate seamlessly alongside U.S. and allied defense systems, thereby strengthening credible and robust regional deterrence against PRC aggression.

Sources:
[1] S.4259 (Blue Skies for Taiwan Act)   [2] Office of Sen. Jeff Merkley   [3] S.4223 (First Island Chain Deterrence Act)   [4] Office of Sen. Michael Bennet   [5] H.R.3447 (Chip Security Act)   [6] Office of Rep. Bill Huizenga   [7] House Select Committee on the CCP   [8] H.R.8177 (Critical Undersea Infrastructure Resilience Initiative Act)   [9] Office of Rep. Mike Lawler

U.S. Congressional Delegation to Taiwan Urges Passage of US$40 Billion Special Defense Budget

On March 30, 2026, Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), John Curtis (R-UT), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) arrived in Taiwan to reaffirm ironclad Congressional support for the U.S.-Taiwan security and defense partnership. The bipartisan senators met with President Lai Ching-te, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu, and other senior Taiwanese officials.
 
The Congressional Delegation (CODEL) reaffirmed the U.S. Congress’s commitment to support Taiwan and strengthen Taiwan’s self-defense. Members of the delegation publicly backed President Lai’s proposed NT$1.25 trillion (approximately US$40 billion) special defense budget, urging the Legislative Yuan to pass the measure without delay to address critical gaps in defense capabilities.
 
The delegation also emphasized Taiwan’s pivotal role in global prosperity and high-tech supply chain. Senator Curtis, who co-led the delegation, warned that “an attempted attack on Taiwan could trigger a $10 trillion global economic shock, immediately contracting the U.S. GDP by roughly 10 percent.”
 
Why It Matters
 
With President Trump’s reported upcoming visit to China scheduled for May 2026, this recent CODEL signals to the world that supporting Taiwan remains a central, bipartisan priority of U.S. foreign policy. “I don’t think that there’s ambiguity at all from the United States in terms of support of Taiwan,” Senator Tillis underscored. This signaling is critical as Washington continues to monitor Taiwan’s operational readiness and the domestic political consensus required to sustain long-term defense investments.
 
Global Taiwan Institute (GTI) Director John Dotson assesses that President Lai’s supplementary special defense budget addresses long-standing concerns regarding Taiwan’s “asymmetric” deterrence. The proposal raises Taiwan’s defense spending up to around 3.3 percent of its GDP for 2026 and focuses heavily on purchasing advanced U.S. arms, such as M142 HIMARS and ALTIUS unmanned aerial systems. It also includes several categories that point to closer U.S.-Taiwan defense cooperation and expanded joint development.
 
Implications
 
The recent CODEL underscores Congress’s commitment to a “peace through strength” strategy, which emphasizes that the U.S. and Taiwan must work together to deter Chinese aggression.
 
Taiwan, for its part, has been actively working with the U.S. to evolve beyond its traditional role as a mere purchaser and transition into a strategic co-developer and co-producer of its own advanced defensive weapons. This includes the recent successful undersea trial for its first indigenous submarine and the expansion of a “non-red” democratic supply chain for uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones.
 
Sources:
[1] Senate Foreign Relations Committee   [2] Taiwan’s Presidential Office   [3] Office of Sen. John Curtis   [4] Texas Public Radio   [5] Global Taiwan Institute (GTI)   [6] Reuters   [7] US-Taiwan Business Council

The post 2026-0406: Four Bills to Bolster Taiwan’s Defense and Tech Resilience; Sens. Shaheen and Curtis Lead Congressional Delegation to Taiwan appeared first on Formosan Association for Public Affairs.