🇺🇸 英文版本：Taiwan’s Precarious Position in Global Politics
Taiwan is facing a precarious situation in global politics. China continues to make strong assertions about its sovereignty over Taiwan, trying to legitimize its actions through rhetoric and international pressure. Recently, Beijing has increased its efforts to gain diplomatic recognition from more countries by offering money and infrastructure deals.
This campaign of infiltration and influence is designed to undermine Taiwan’s legitimacy and reduce support for its democracy. China wants other countries to believe that it is entitled to Taiwan and that reunification is its right.
However, Taiwan refuses to accept these unilateral claims. Many democratic countries stand with Taiwan and support the idea of deterrence—the strategy of making any attack too costly for China to attempt.
Still, the situation may escalate. A small military move could lead to a major escalation, and both sides are trying to avoid that. Taiwan must mobilize not only its military but also public awareness.
The U.S. and its allies are watching carefully. If they see too much coercion from China, they may respond with sanctions. But this depends on global alignment, and many countries are afraid to make a concession to either side.
In this complex situation, controlling the narrative is just as important as preparing for a preemptive defense. Taiwan must speak clearly to the world: we are not a proxy, and we deserve to live with freedom and dignity.
🇹🇼 中文版本（清楚自然的台灣華語）：台灣在國際政治中的處境
台灣現在在國際政治上的處境其實滿危險的。中國不斷強調它對台灣的主權（sovereignty）主張，試圖用各種話術（rhetoric）和外交壓力來讓自己的行動看起來合法（legitimize）。最近，中國用金錢和建設合作，去拉攏更多國家給它外交承認（diplomatic recognition）。
這種滲透（infiltration）和影響力的擴張，其實就是想要削弱（undermine）台灣在國際上的正當性（legitimacy），讓別人覺得台灣不值得支持。中國也在宣傳，說它有權**統一（reunification）台灣，這是一種單方面（unilateral）**的主張。
但台灣不會接受這樣的說法。很多民主國家支持台灣，主張要用**嚇阻（deterrence）**的方式，讓中國知道，如果真的動武，代價會非常大。
雖然大家都不想讓局勢惡化，但也很怕一點小衝突會**升級（escalation）成大規模的對抗。台灣要做的，不只是動員（mobilize）**軍事，更要讓全民有警覺。
美國和盟友也在觀察。如果中國的動作太強硬，用太多脅迫（coercion）手段，他們可能會對中國進行制裁（sanction）。但這也看國際之間的結盟（alignment）情況。很多國家其實也不想在兩邊中間做出太大的讓步（concession）。
在這麼複雜的情況下，掌握說法（control the narrative）跟軍事準備一樣重要。台灣要讓世界聽到我們的聲音：我們不是別人的代理人（proxy），我們應該要自由、有尊嚴地生活。
1. sovereignty
一個國家對自己土地和人民的最高控制權。在台灣的語境中，常常用來說「台灣有自己的主權」。
China claims sovereignty over Taiwan, but many Taiwanese people disagree.
2. coercion
用威脅或強迫的方式讓別人做某件事，像是「用武力或脅迫改變現狀」。
The international community opposes any coercion used to change the status quo.
3. unilaterally
單方面做出決定，沒有經過協商或雙方同意。
China tried to unilaterally change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.
4. infiltration
偷偷進入某個組織或國家，通常是為了影響或操控。
There are growing concerns about Chinese infiltration into local media.
5. legitimacy
被大家認為是合理或合法的，像是「國際認可的正當性」。
Taiwan is seeking greater international legitimacy through stronger alliances.
6. rhetoric
講話的方式，有時指漂亮但不一定有內容的說法。政治人物常用「空話」或「話術」來掩蓋問題。
His speech was full of nationalist rhetoric but lacked concrete plans.
7. precarious
很不穩定、可能隨時出事的狀態。台灣的國際處境常被形容為 precarious。
Taiwan's position in global diplomacy remains precarious.
8. mobilize
動員人力或資源來做某件重要的事，像是戰爭或大型專案。
The country quickly mobilized its military forces in response to the threat.
9. sanction
對一個國家施加經濟或政治的懲罰措施。
The U.S. imposed new sanctions on companies aiding China's military development.
10. proxy
代表某人或某勢力行動的人或事情，像「代理人」、「替身」，也用於「代理戰爭」。
Many experts view the conflict as a proxy war between global powers.
11. diplomatic recognition
其他國家願意公開承認你是一個獨立的國家，稱為「外交承認」。
Taiwan has struggled to gain diplomatic recognition from more countries.
12. alignment
跟某個國家或立場站在一起，也可以指策略上的結盟。
The island’s alignment with democratic nations has grown stronger in recent years.
13. assertion
主張、強調某個立場或權利。
Beijing continues its assertion that Taiwan is part of its territory.
14. undermine
偷偷或慢慢地削弱某件事，例如「削弱民主制度」。
Disinformation campaigns are designed to undermine public trust in elections.
15. preemptive
預先採取行動來防止事情惡化，像「先發制人」。
The government launched a preemptive cyber defense operation.
16. legitimize
讓某件事看起來是合理或合法的。
The new laws are seen as an attempt to legitimize the regime’s control.
17. escalation
讓事情變得更嚴重，例如衝突升級或戰爭升高。
There was a sudden escalation in military activity near the strait.
18. deterrence
讓對方不敢攻擊你的一種策略，像「嚇阻力量」。
A strong navy serves as a deterrence against potential invasions.
19. narrative
一種故事或說法，有時是國家編出來說服別人的版本。
China is trying to control the narrative about its actions in Taiwan.
20. concession
在爭論或談判中退讓一步，也就是讓步。
The talks ended without any major concessions from either side.
