The government is committed to safeguarding Taiwan’s freedom and democracy by enhancing indigenous defense capabilities while expanding cooperation with like-minded partners worldwide, according to Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu.
China is continuously ramping up pressure on Taiwan with military incursions, psychological warfare and attempts to block the country’s international participation, Wu said. The government will absolutely defend Taiwan’s free and democratic way of life, he added.
According to Wu, a central plank in this approach involves strengthening the armed forces’ asymmetrical combat capabilities, as well as expanding strategic cooperation and intelligence sharing with democratic partners around the globe.
Wu made the remarks during an exclusive virtual interview with Peter Stefanovic of Sydney-based Sky News Australia for its documentary “China Rising.”
No country is immune from China’s threats, Wu said, adding that it is critically important members of the free world cooperate and support one another in the face of Beijing’s campaigns of coercion.
Despite an absence of official ties, Taiwan and Australia share the same values and interests, Wu said. Both sides are making great strides in deepening bilateral friendship and exchanges, he added.
Taiwan, which has its own elected government and military, has never been ruled by authoritarian China, Wu said. What happened in Hong Kong proves that Beijing’s promise of “one country, two systems” is unrealistic and will never be accepted by the people of Taiwan, he added.
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said “#Taiwan-#Australia ties & China’s campaign of coercion dominated the agenda during Minister Wu’s interview with @peterstefanovic for @SkyNewsAust’s “China Rising” program. Big takeaway: Democracies must stand together in maintaining cross-strait & regional peace & stability.” (SFC-E)
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