Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushsieh Joseph Wu (right) gives an interview to Thai PBS anchor Phongsathat Sukhaphong Nov. 1 in Taipei City. (MOFA)
 

Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu said Taiwan will leave no stone unturned to prevent conflict despite China’s escalating military threats and economic coercion.

Wu made the remarks during an interview with Thai Public Broadcasting Service anchor Phongsathat Sukhaphong, Nov. 1 in Taipei City. The discussion was screened on TV Nov. 3 and posted on YouTube.

Taiwan is a responsible actor, has avoided conflict and is willing to engage in peaceful dialogue, the minister said. He quoted President Tsai Ing-wen’s 2023 National Day address, saying, “peace is the only option for the two sides across the strait.”

The minister said that in 2019 China’s leader Xi Jin-ping requested Taiwan accept the “one country, two systems” under the “One China principle.” Wu characterized this as an attempt to turn Taiwan into a second Hong Kong.

Reiterating that Taiwan citizens will not give up democracy, Wu noted that the country is enhancing its self-defense capability by increasing the national defense budget, purchasing defensive weapons and promoting military reform.
 
Speaking on the Russia-Ukraine war, Wu said the government firmly condemns the invasion and has provided humanitarian relief, as have many other nations, underscoring the importance of united international support. 

The minister emphasized that half of the world’s cargo passes through the Taiwan Strait and 90 percent of advanced chips are produced in Taiwan, thus were China to start a war, the global supply chain and economy would be severely impacted. Aware of the potential detrimental effect of cross strait conflict, world leaders continue to voice support for Taiwan and urge China to refrain from attempting to unilaterally change the status quo. (POC-E)