Hoover Institution• Nov 19, 2025• 1:28:27Interview

The International Dimensions of China’s Lawfare against Taiwan | Hoover Institution

From Hoover Institution

Hoover Institution

Executive Summary

The People's Republic of China (PRC) is engaged in an escalating diplomatic and legal campaign ('lawfare') to isolate Taiwan and build international justification for potential military action.
A key tactic is pressuring countries, particularly in the Global South, to adopt its 'One China principle' in joint statements, including new language that omits a requirement for 'peaceful' unification.
China deliberately misrepresents international documents, most notably UN Resolution 2758, to falsely claim a global consensus on its sovereignty over Taiwan.
This is part of a broader strategy to 'seize discourse power' through whole-of-society influence operations, targeting everything from subnational governments to youth programs via companies like Huawei.

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Concerns Raised

China's rapid success in persuading dozens of countries to adopt its position on Taiwan, including language that omits 'peaceful' resolution.
The widespread misinterpretation and weaponization of UN Resolution 2758 to assert sovereignty over Taiwan.
The erosion of the rules-based international order as China redefines legal terms and norms to suit its interests.
The effectiveness and pervasiveness of China's whole-of-society influence campaigns in the Global South and beyond.

Opportunities Identified

Building coalitions of small and medium-sized states that are also vulnerable to PRC pressure and rely on international law.
Clearly and consistently articulating the facts about Taiwan's legal status and the nuances of various 'One China' policies to counter PRC disinformation.
Making a more effective public case for why Taiwan's democratic survival and the principle of peaceful dispute resolution matter to global stability.

Key Themes

China's 'Lawfare' and Diplomatic Coercion

The PRC is systematically pressuring nations to alter their official positions on Taiwan, pushing for joint statements that endorse its 'One China principle' and support 'all efforts' for unification. This represents a significant shift, as many countries have recently dropped prior calls for a peaceful resolution, providing Beijing with rhetorical cover.

This campaign aims to create a veneer of international legal and political legitimacy for potential military action against Taiwan, framing it as a purely internal affair and preemptively neutralizing global opposition.

Seizing Discourse Power and Narrative Warfare

Beijing is executing a long-term strategy to control the global narrative on Taiwan by redefining terms, misinterpreting historical agreements, and promoting its views through state media and soft power initiatives. A central element is the false claim that UN Resolution 2758, which addressed China's UN seat, also settled Taiwan's sovereignty.

By controlling the language and framing of the debate, China seeks to establish its claims as an undisputed international norm, thereby isolating Taiwan and weakening the legal and political standing of countries that challenge its position.

The U.S. 'One China Policy' vs. PRC's 'One China Principle'

The discussion emphasizes the critical distinction between the U.S. 'One China policy' and the PRC's 'One China principle.' The U.S. policy acknowledges the PRC's position that Taiwan is part of China but does not endorse it, maintaining that Taiwan's ultimate status is undetermined and must be resolved peacefully.

China deliberately conflates these two distinct concepts to claim U.S. and international endorsement for its sovereignty claims, making it crucial for policymakers to use precise and consistent language to avoid ceding rhetorical ground.

Whole-of-Society Influence Operations

The PRC's strategy extends beyond traditional diplomacy to a comprehensive, 'whole-of-society' approach. This includes engaging subnational governments, sponsoring youth training via companies like Huawei, and using economic incentives and coercion to influence a wide range of actors in target countries, particularly in Latin America and Africa.

This multi-pronged approach makes PRC influence pervasive and difficult to counter, as it targets not just governments but also future leaders, experts, and the general public to build grassroots support for its geopolitical objectives.

Erosion of the Rules-Based International Order

China's unilateral reinterpretation of treaties, UN resolutions, and bilateral agreements poses a direct threat to the international legal framework. By inserting new meanings into established texts and disregarding unfavorable legal rulings, the PRC promotes a world where revisionist claims and national power supersede established law and norms.

This trend undermines the stability and predictability of the international system, creating a more volatile environment for all nations, especially smaller states that depend on international law for their security and sovereignty.

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Topics

Lawfare Taiwan China (PRC)One China Policy One China Principle UN Resolution 2758 Geopolitics Indo-Pacific South China Sea International Law Diplomatic Coercion Discourse Power Narrative Warfare Soft Power Global South

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