Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu (right) discusses Taiwan’s commitment to defending its sovereignty during an interview with Brent O’Halloran of Sky News Australia April 28 in Taipei City. (MOFA)
 

Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu said Taiwan is committed to enhancing its self-defense capabilities to deter China’s military aggression.

China is escalating its economic coercion, disinformation campaign, cognitive warfare and cyberattacks against Taiwan, the minister said during an interview with Brent O’Halloran of Sky News Australia for a segment aired May 1 on the Sydney-based TV network.

While the government exercises caution and does its utmost to ensure regional stability, it also spares no effort to implement military reform, procure defensive weaponry and develop asymmetrical combat strategies to counter the threat from Beijing, he added.

According to the minister, Beijing’s ambition does not stop at Taiwan but extends beyond the East and South China Seas to the entire Pacific. The security agreement concluded by China and the Solomon Islands in April 2022 is evidence of the former’s intentions and puts regional neighbors like Australia at significant risk, he said.

The minister called on the global community to unite to stop the spread of authoritarianism and ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

Wu added that the government welcomes Australia’s support for Taiwan in areas spanning trade, security and international participation, as well as efforts to expand bilateral exchanges across the board. (SFC-E)