Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu said that the Taiwan government and non-governmental organizations are working together to enhance defense capability through national reforms and providing civil defense training.
Wu made the remarks during a Jan. 10 joint interview with Yanina Slyesarchuk, Kristina Zeleniuk and Alla Chyzh from Ukraine TV channels 1+1 and ICTV, respectively. An article on how Taiwan is preparing to repel potential Chinese military offensives in 2027 was published on 1+1’s website Jan. 14.
According to Wu, although Taiwan consistently faces threats from China, Beijing is highly unlikely to wage a war against Taiwan in the short term. Instead, China uses gray zone tactics combining military threats, economic coercion and cognitive warfare in an attempt to influence political choices in Taiwan, he said.
Multiple polls have shown that more than 90 percent of Taiwan people oppose unification with China, Wu said, citing the failure of the “one country, two systems” in Hong Kong leading to the country’s disapproval of the policy.
The minister stressed that self-defense capability and unity in the democratic community are key factors in deterrence of possible Chinese assault on Taiwan. During the Group of Seven and EU summits held last year, national leaders categorically expressed opposition to Beijing’s unilateral attempts to change the cross-strait status quo, Wu said, adding that Taiwan will continue to work with other democracies to safeguard regional security.
Regarding Taiwan-Ukraine relations, Wu said Taiwan has assisted Ukraine with over US$110 million in aid through neighboring countries such as Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic for the reconstruction of public facilities like schools and hospitals. He added that the people of Taiwan are inspired by Ukrainian defense of the homeland and he looks forward to further cooperation between the two sides. (YCH-E)
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