The La Jolla Dialogues: In Conversation with Adm. Lee Hsi-min

October 8, 2026 · University of San Diego

Former Chief of the General Staff of Taiwan, Admiral Lee Hsi-min, speaks to The La Jolla Center on Taiwan’s asymmetric defense strategy.

As the Chief of the General Staff of the Republic of China, Admiral Lee Hsi-min was responsible for preparing Taiwan’s armed forces to defend their home and their way of life from the People’s Republic of China’s stated ambition to re-unify the island and the mainland.

Admiral Lee, now retired, visits The La Jolla Center for Pacific Strategy to present his urgent vision for the future of Taiwan’s defense. Called the Overall Defense Concept (ODC), Admiral Lee envisions an approach to safeguarding Taiwan that dispenses with purely conventional defense and prioritizes asymmetry and innovation.

Join us on October 8th for the exclusive opportunity to learn about Taiwan’s asymmetric defense strategy from the strategy’s architect. The event will inlcude a keynote by Admrial Lee followed by an open Q&A discussion perfect for defense industry executives aligning capabilities to requirements, venture capitalists planning their next defense tech investment, or for researchers studying cross-strait dynamics.

Stay after the event for a hosted reception to continue the conversation with colleagues and partners.

Event Details

Location: Warren Auditorium - University of San Diego

Date: October 8, 2026

Doors: 4:00PM

Program: 4:30PM - 6:00PM

Hosted Reception: 6:00PM - 7:00PM

Parking Information

Paid parking is available in the West Parking Structure at 5452 Marian Way, San Diego, CA 92110. Complimentary shuttle transportation is available from the parking structure to Mother Rosalie Hill Hall where the event will be taking place. Shuttles operate every 10-15 minutes and take approximately 5 minutes to arrive at the drop off location. Please arrive early to accommodate time required for parking and shuttling or walking to the venue.

Thank you to TMA BlueTech, SDMAC, and the San Diego EDC and World Trade Center for their assistance in convening and supporting this event.

All proceeds from this event support The La Jolla Center for Pacific Strategy, a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to developing the strategies and strategists Pacific leadership requires.