MOFA Minister Wu gives BBC exclusive interview

2023/06/07

Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu said Taiwan is investing in its self-defense capabilities as it develops asymmetric combat strategies and garners global support to deter China’s aggression.
 
Wu made the remarks from Taipei City during a remote interview with Laura Kuenssberg for a segment aired June 4 by London-based news broadcaster BBC.
 
According to the minister, China’s ongoing sea and air patrols near Taiwan and surrounding areas pose a threat to all neighboring countries. Beijing is trying to expand its sphere of influence into the Pacific in a way that has caused tension between democracy and authoritarianism, Wu said, adding that the consequences will not affect Taiwan alone.
 
About 50 percent of international shipping goes through the Taiwan Strait, while 60 percent of worldwide semiconductor computer chip output comes from Taiwan. Any interference in traffic through the strait or disruption in the supply chain will have a serious impact on the global economy, he said.
 
Taiwan is also working closely with its partners to strengthen the armed forces’ training processes and acquire necessary defensive weaponry, Wu said. While China has used cognitive warfare and disinformation in attempts to exert influence, Taiwan has successfully thwarted such complex threats, Wu said, adding that the government is willing to share its experience counteracting such challenges with like-minded partners.
 
Wu said people in Taiwan are still living a normal life despite the decades-long threat from China, adding that the bravery of the Ukrainian people in defending their territory, sovereignty and freedom has deeply inspired them.
 
When asked about Taiwan-U.K. relations, the minister took the opportunity to thank U.K. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly for his recent remarks opposing China’s claim that Taiwan is an internal issue. Wu expressed his hope that more political figures from the U.K. will visit Taiwan to further strengthen bilateral ties. 


Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)