Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu details the expansive threat facing Taiwan from China’s grey-zone activities during an exclusive interview with Liberation published July 2 by the Paris-based daily. (MOFA)
 

Taiwan is enhancing its defensive capabilities while working with like-minded partners such as the EU, France, U.K. and U.S. in promoting peace, security and prosperity throughout the Indo-Pacific, according to Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu.

The country is coming under pressure from China through ramped-up military activities and conventional kinetic operations like hybrid warfare, Wu said. This ongoing campaign of coercion is raising concern among democracies worldwide, he added.

Wu made the remarks during an exclusive interview with Arnaud Vaulerin for an article published July 2 by Paris-based daily Liberation.

Cross-strait peace and stability is of increasing importance to the international community, Wu said, citing the EU-U.S. Summit Statement and Carbis Bay G-7 Communique, as well as remarks by the leaders of Australia, Japan and South Korea following dialogues with the EU and U.S. in recent months.

Wu said the government is buoyed by this strong interest, and remains firmly committed to its policy of prudence pertaining to cross-strait relations and maintaining the status quo.

Taiwan is willing to engage with China based on the principles of peace, parity, democracy and dialogue, Wu said, adding that Beijing must shoulder its share of responsibility.

According to Wu, the people of Taiwan are more determined than ever to defend the country’s hard-earned freedom and democracy. Recent developments in Hong Kong are a clarion call, galvanizing all segments of society to stand together to this end, he said.

In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said “Minister Wu had a good sit-down with @ArnaudVaulerin of @Libe. He touched on the big geopolitical issues impacting #Taiwan, as well as detailed #China’s ongoing campaign of coercion involving heightened military threats, #Disinformation, hybrid warfare & grey-zone activities.” (SFC-E)