Frequently Accessed
DPP Defense Policy Blue Paper 1 – DPP’s Defense Agenda
DPP Defense Policy Blue Paper 4 – New Chapter for Taiwan‐U.S. Defense Partnership
DPP Defense Policy Blue Paper 5 – China’s Military Threats against Taiwan in 2025
DPP Defense Policy Blue Paper 6 – New Generation of Soldiers
DPP Defense Policy Blue Paper 9 – Taiwan’s Military Capacities in 2025
DPP Defense Policy Blue Paper 12 – Preparing the Development of Indigenous Defense Industry
On May 26, 2015 the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) think tank New Frontier Foundation released four “blue papers” covering the DPP’s national defense agenda. (Press Conference)
The first of these papers (Defense Policy Blue Paper 9) has been completely translated into English, but in the remaining reports only the forewords have been translated. Forewords are written by DPP Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen.
DPP Defense Policy Blue Paper 9 – Taiwan’s Military Capacities in 2025
DPP Defense Policy Blue Paper 10 – Information Protection and Strategic Communications
DPP Defense Policy Blue Paper 11 – Refinement of Veteran Affairs
DPP Defense Policy Blue Paper 12 – Preparing the Development of Indigenous Defense Industry
On December 5, 2014, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) think tank New Frontier Foundation released its eight “blue paper” covering the DPP’s national defense agenda.
Titled “Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief,” the paper calls for the Taiwan armed forces to expand their role and mission in order to improve military effectiveness in contingencies other than war.
English language foreword by DPP Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen
DPP Defense Policy Blue Paper 8 – Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief
On October 6, 2014, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) think tank New Frontier Foundation released its seventh “blue paper” covering the DPP’s national defense agenda.
Titled “Bolstering Taiwan’s Core Defense Industries,” the paper calls for reviving the domestic defense industry, with the goal of elevating Taiwan’s capacity to produce its own defensive equipment and weaponry.
English language foreword by DPP Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen
DPP Defense Policy Blue Paper 7 – Bolstering Taiwan’s Core Defense Industries
On August 22, 2014, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) think tank New Frontier Foundation released its sixth “blue paper” covering the DPP’s national defense agenda.
Titled “New Generation of Soldiers,” the paper calls for initiating reform of internal military affairs with personnel considerations as a core value, and strengthening the connection between the military and society.
English language foreword by DPP Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen
DPP Defense Policy Blue Paper 6 – New Generation of Soldiers
On March 3, 2014, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) think tank New Frontier Foundation released its fifth “blue paper” covering the DPP’s national defense agenda.
In announcing the report, DPP Chairman Su Tseng-chang firmly stressed the need for Taiwan to pursue stronger defense capabilities. He stated that the DPP will take full responsibility of becoming the catalyst for strengthening national defenses by encouraging indigenous defense production, especially for submarine capabilities. He also stated that Taiwan must “promptly adjust its national defense strategy, military strategy, and operational concepts” to meet growing Chinese military threats and “establish Taiwan’s self-defense capability.”
The report itself stated that Taiwan should focus on fostering private investment in indigenous R&D, next-generation weapons, and cyber warfare.
Both the Chinese and English versions have been compiled into one document (the English translation begins on page 37).
DPP Defense Policy Blue Paper 5 – China’s Military Threats against Taiwan in 2025
On June 6, 2013 the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) think tank New Frontier Foundation released four “blue papers” covering the DPP’s national defense agenda. (Press Conference, Report Announcement)
The first report covers the overall strategy and philosophy behind the DPP’s national defense policy. The second report covers recommendations on transforming the quasi-governmental Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology (CSIST), and on strengthening the nation’s military-industrial and research capabilities. The third report covers recommendations for Taiwan’s National Security Council (NSC), while the fourth outlines the DPP’s plans to strengthen military cooperation between Taiwan and the United States.
The first paper has been completely translated into English, but in the remaining reports only the forewords have been translated.
DPP Defense Policy Blue Paper 1 – DPP’s Defense Agenda
DPP Defense Policy Blue Paper 2 – Transforming the CSIST: Strengthening Indigenous Defense Research and Development
DPP Defense Policy Blue Paper 3 – An Accountable National Security Council
DPP Defense Policy Blue Paper 4 – New Chapter for Taiwan‐U.S. Defense Partnership
Taiwan Ministry of National Defense (MND) Reports
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) occasionally publishes reports on the status of the military and national security in Taiwan.
Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR)
The Taiwan Quadrennial Defense Review publications are available at www.mnd.gov.tw. Follow links to the MND publication page.
Quadrennial Defense Review 2009
Published in March, 2009
Quadrennial Defense Review 2013
Published in March, 2013
Quadrennial Defense Review 2017
Published in March, 2017
Quadrennial Defense Review 2021
Published in March, 2021
National Defense Report
For the Chinese language and comic book versions of these reports, and for all MND publications, see www.mnd.gov.tw. Follow links to the publication page.
National Defense Report 2002
Published July, 2002
National Defense Report 2006
Published August 14, 2006
National Defense Report 2008
Published May 13, 2008
National Defense Report 2009
Published October, 2009
National Defense Report 2011
Published July, 2011
National Defense Report 2013
Published October, 2013
National Defense Report 2015
Published October, 2015
National Defense Report 2017
Published December, 2017
National Defense Report 2019
Published September, 2019
National Defense Report 2021
Published November 9, 2021
National Defense Report 2023
Published September 12, 2023
Additional versions of these reports are also available at the Taiwan in Perspective’s “Complete Collection of Taiwan’s Defence Policy Documents” page.