MOFA Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu gives an interview to India’s CNN-News18 anchor Zakka Jacob (on screen left), Jan. 3 in Taipei City. (MOFA)
 

In a wide-ranging discussion with India’s CNN-News18 anchor Zakka Jacob, Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu emphasized hopes for maintenance of the cross-strait status quo, stability in the Indo-Pacific region and for closer ties with India.

Wu made the remarks during a video interview Jan. 3, in which he talked about the upcoming presidential election, the importance of self-defense capability and Taiwan-India relations.

The January election is Taiwan’s eighth direct presidential election in a series with three peaceful administration transitions, which shows the maturity of the democratic system, Wu said. Referring to Chinese threats, Wu reiterated that Taiwan is a democratic nation, the majority of the population supported maintenance of the status quo and the country’s future will be decided by its people.

Wu noted that Taiwan has strengthened its self-defense capabilities and China would have a heavy price to pay for any military action. As 50 percent of global cargo transits through the Taiwan Strait and 90 percent of advanced semiconductor chips are manufactured in the country, the worldwide impact of any instability in the Taiwan Strait would be serious and the international community may take action. 

China has been active in using cognitive and cyber warfare, economic coercion and gray zone tactics against Taiwan, however, the minister said that cross-strait action was neither imminent nor inevitable.

Taiwan-India relations have deepened through cooperation in the semiconductor industry and currently, around 2,700 Indians work in Taiwan high-tech companies. Wu looked forward to a bilateral trade agreement to enable Taiwan businesses to invest confidently and effectively in India. (POC-E)