2023-3-8

Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu said Taiwan is committed to enhancing its asymmetrical combat capabilities to defend the country’s sovereignty, calling for the global community’s support as the military threat from China grows.

Wu made the remarks during an exclusive interview in Taipei City with Alice Su of U.K.-based The Economist for a special series published March 11. Titled “Frontline Formosa,” the series consists of eight articles discussing the country’s history, politics, military and trade.

According to Wu, China’s unreasonable and excessive retaliation against countries that develop relations with Taiwan goes against international norms and is opposed by most of the global community. Despite Beijing’s economic coercion, Lithuania has continued exchanges with Taiwan, Wu said, adding that Czech Republic President Petr Pavel has expressed wishes to meet President Tsai Ing-wen.

Taiwan welcomes friends to visit the country even though China launched live-fire drills following then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s trip last August, Wu said. Beijing has no right to decide how Taiwan engages with the world and any form of overseas backing helps its citizens know the country is not alone, he added.

With regard to the Russia-Ukraine war, the minister said Taiwan immediately joined international sanctions against Russia to show its support for Ukraine. A total of US$33 million and 600 tons of relief supplies were delivered to the East European country through neighboring nations such as Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, the minister added.

The country is now fully apprised of China’s cognitive warfare and disinformation tactics, Wu said, adding that the government is prepared for Beijing’s attempts to weaken the people’s confidence and undermine cross-strait peace and stability.

Wu also took the opportunity to urge like-minded partners to back Taiwan’s participation in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, adding that major members like Australia, Canada and Japan have all agreed that the country complies with the agreement’s high standard requirements.

Article courtesy of Taiwan Today