Foreign Minister Wu interviewed by U.S. journalist Lucy Hornby

2023/08/16

Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu said Taiwan is a successful democracy, a reliable partner and a force for good in the world, and urged like-minded countries to lend their support.
 
Wu made the remarks during an interview July 31 in Taipei City with Lucy Hornby for an article titled “Joseph Wu on Taiwan’s International Outreach.” The piece, published Aug. 13 in the U.S. digital news magazine The Wire China, will also be included in an abbreviated form in the Washington, D.C.-based magazine Foreign Policy.
 
Relationships between Taiwan and democracies like those in Central and Eastern Europe are going from strength to strength, Wu said. He added that Taiwan is committed to expanding ties with its friends such as the U.S. and countries across the Europe and in the Indo-Pacific.
 
Wu said that although China is employing gray zone tactics and sending warplanes and warships into Taiwan’s near airspace and waters, the people of Taiwan are determined to safeguard the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and democratic way of life. The government is sparing no effort to boost asymmetric combat capability, he said, adding that Taiwan understands that collective unity is the most effective way to deter Beijing’s threats.
 
Beijing’s attempts to spread its influence across the region and beyond have raised vigilance among global democracies who are standing united to counter China’s authoritarian expansion, Wu said. In addition, he stressed that democracies must gain a deeper understanding of China and establish an information sharing system to swiftly respond to the country’s aggressive actions.
 
On the topic of Taiwan-U.S. relations, Wu said the U.S. plays a crucial role in supporting Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, and took the opportunity to thank the U.S. for its security commitment to Taiwan. 


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