Taiwan's security council quietly steps up as architect of China strategy

Taiwan tensionsPresidential agency steers defense and resilience reforms, conducts key diplomacyJoseph Wu, right, secretary-general of Taiwan's National Security Council, accompanies President Lai Ching-te, center, at a briefing co-hosted by the Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club in June. (Taiwan Presidential Office)THOMPSON CHAUAugust 23, 2026 12:01 JSTTAIPEI -- Once regarded as a "government within a government" created by Taiwan's former strongman, the National Security Council is quietly taking on a bigger and broader role in orchestrating the island democracy's efforts to fend off pressure from China.