Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs François Chih-chung Wu warned about China’s authoritarian expansion and called on the world to support Taiwan’s resolution to defend its democratic way of life.
The deputy minister made the remarks during a recent interview in Taipei City with Allegra Mendelson for a report published Aug. 8 by U.K.-based media outlet The Telegraph.
According to Wu, China has steadily increased pressure on Taiwan in recent years through gray zone tactics such as cyberattacks, intrusions into Taiwan’s waters and airspace, and misinformation campaigns. The real worry is not China’s military aggression but its measures to divide Taiwan’s society, he said, adding that Beijing is becoming more sophisticated in its psychological and cognitive manipulation tactics to erode Taiwan’s democratic resilience.
While it is frustrating that Taiwan cannot have formal relations with more countries, Wu said the government adopts a pragmatic approach in order not to provoke China, adding that many countries including the U.S. and the U.K. also follow the principle of strategic ambiguity. As the U.S. is Taiwan’s most important partner, it is the government’s policy to continue building common interest with Washington, Wu added.
To show Taiwan’s strong will to defend itself, the deputy minister said President Lai Ching-te has pledged to increase the 2026 defense budget to more than 3 percent of the gross national product, or 20 percent of the total government budget, which is a much higher proportion than that of any European country or the U.S. The higher defense spending is in the interest of both Taiwan and the U.S. because the government will only buy more military equipment from the North American partner.
The minister said that while Chinese leader Xi Jinping may aspire to invade Taiwan, the international community must make it clear that “today is not a good day” to pursue that ambition, sending a signal to deter China’s leadership for the long term. (SFC-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw
The deputy minister made the remarks during a recent interview in Taipei City with Allegra Mendelson for a report published Aug. 8 by U.K.-based media outlet The Telegraph.
According to Wu, China has steadily increased pressure on Taiwan in recent years through gray zone tactics such as cyberattacks, intrusions into Taiwan’s waters and airspace, and misinformation campaigns. The real worry is not China’s military aggression but its measures to divide Taiwan’s society, he said, adding that Beijing is becoming more sophisticated in its psychological and cognitive manipulation tactics to erode Taiwan’s democratic resilience.
While it is frustrating that Taiwan cannot have formal relations with more countries, Wu said the government adopts a pragmatic approach in order not to provoke China, adding that many countries including the U.S. and the U.K. also follow the principle of strategic ambiguity. As the U.S. is Taiwan’s most important partner, it is the government’s policy to continue building common interest with Washington, Wu added.
To show Taiwan’s strong will to defend itself, the deputy minister said President Lai Ching-te has pledged to increase the 2026 defense budget to more than 3 percent of the gross national product, or 20 percent of the total government budget, which is a much higher proportion than that of any European country or the U.S. The higher defense spending is in the interest of both Taiwan and the U.S. because the government will only buy more military equipment from the North American partner.
The minister said that while Chinese leader Xi Jinping may aspire to invade Taiwan, the international community must make it clear that “today is not a good day” to pursue that ambition, sending a signal to deter China’s leadership for the long term. (SFC-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw
from Taiwan Today – Top News