Taiwan is on democracy’s first line of defense against China’s expanding authoritarianism, according to Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu.
Faced with ever-increasing military provocation, psychological warfare and attempts to block Taiwan’s international participation from China, the government is committed to defending the country’s free and democratic way of life, Wu said.
Wu made the remarks during an exclusive interview with Gianni Vernetti for an article published in Italy-based daily newspaper La Repubblica Dec. 17.
According to Wu, a central plank in this approach involves strengthening the armed forces’ asymmetrical combat capabilities, as well as deepening partnership with like-minded countries around the world to jointly defend a free and open Indo-Pacific region and a rule-based international order.
Wu took the opportunity to thank the Group of Seven industrialized nations and the European Union, both of which include Italy, for supporting Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the World Health Organization. He also welcomes democratic allies involved in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue and the trilateral security pact between Australia, the U.K. and U.S. for taking a clear stance on cross-strait developments and showing support for Taiwan.
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the MOFA said: “#Taiwan's plucky defense of the free world & our democratic way of life on the front line of #China's encroaching authoritarianism is among the many big issues broached by Minister Wu in his broad interview with @GianniVernetti of @Repubblica.” (DL-E)
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