The government is committed to enhancing Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities while expanding cooperation with democratic partners worldwide to ensure peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu said Sept. 28.
Taiwan is on the front line of China’s authoritarian expansionism, Wu said. This includes ongoing cyberattacks, disinformation, grey-zone warfare and military threats against the country, he added.
China has also been conducting a silent diplomatic war to take away Taiwan’s diplomatic allies, sabotage relations with like-minded partners and block the country from taking part in global organizations, Wu said.
The remarks came in Wu’s keynote speech delivered during an online conference staged by U.S.-based Hoover Institution’s Project on Taiwan in the Indo-Pacific Region. Other participants included Richard Bush, former chairman of the American Institute in Taiwan, and former AIT Director Brent Christensen.
According to Wu, China’s expansionism has escalated into global strategic competition, from Hong Kong and Xinjiang to the East and South China Seas, as well as the Indo-Pacific and Europe.
Such competition is also taking place on the trade and economic front, Wu said. China’s recent bid to becoming a member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership is seen by some analysts as a move to prevent the country and the U.S. from taking part in the trade bloc, he added.
As a force for good in the world, Wu said, Taiwan is making significant contributions through close cooperation with the U.S. to important causes such as counter-terrorism, democracy and human rights promotion, North Korea sanctions and religious freedom.
The country is also working with the U.S. and Japan via the Global Cooperation and Training Framework platform to assist countries in the Indo-Pacific on a broad range of issues, Wu said, adding that the government will continue strengthening its partnerships with fellow democracies going forward.
During the Q&A session, Wu said the government remains committed to deepening ties with the U.S. on economy and trade, security collaboration and the diplomatic area. He also urged the U.S. to begin discussions on a bilateral trade or digital trade agreement with Taiwan.
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the MOFA said “Minister Wu delivered a must-watch keynote at @HooverInst’s Project on #Taiwan in the #IndoPacific Region. Learn about the issues impacting the country’s foreign affairs, & peace & stability in the Taiwan Strait. Big thanks to moderator @LarryDiamond!” (SFC-E)
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