Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung said Taiwan is committed to promoting integrated diplomacy to deepen its ties with the U.S. and Japan while working with like-minded partners to create resilient democratic supply chains.
Lin made the remarks during a joint interview with reporters for articles published Jan. 7 in Tokyo-based daily newspaper The Nikkei and its English magazine, Nikkei Asia.
Taiwan is a tipping point in the world’s balance of power, Lin said, observing that China’s rise poses a challenge to the rules-based international order. He added that Taiwan’s defense budget has reached 2.5 percent of gross domestic product, aligning with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s call for Taiwan to demonstrate a stronger commitment to self-defense.
The minister expressed hopes that the delayed delivery of military equipment from the U.S. could be addressed in a timely manner, suggesting that friend-shoring—making use of Taiwan’s manufacturing capacity—could speed up the production. He additionally stressed the importance of Taiwan-U.S. cooperation in promoting drone R&D.
On the topic of Taiwan-Japan relations, Lin said the country will continue to strengthen collaboration with Japan in disaster rescue operations and humanitarian assistance, citing joint exercises carried out last July. He recommended the two partners deepen cooperation on maritime patrols and ensure security in the first island chain.
Lin also urged the Japanese government to accelerate the signing of an economic partnership agreement, which will bolster Taiwan’s intention to participate in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
The minister went on to detail Taiwan’s integrated diplomacy approach, which includes values-based diplomacy, allied diplomacy and economic diplomacy. The country will make use of its robust artificial intelligence and semiconductor sectors to work with like-minded partners to build resilient democratic supply chains that are free of Chinese products, he added. (YCH-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw