Taiwan is committed to bolstering its defensive capabilities while deepening cooperation with like-minded partners to safeguard freedom and democracy in the Indo-Pacific, according to Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s threatening behavior towards Taiwan share a number of similarities, Wu said. Taiwan is drawing lessons from Ukraine’s successful resistance while continuing to combat authoritarian expansion by enhancing asymmetrical combat capabilities and seeking support from the U.S., he added.
Wu made the remarks during an exclusive interview with Friederike Boge published by Germany-based news network Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung May 17.
Taiwan will expand exchanges and strengthen cooperation with NATO going forward, Wu said as a response to a speech made by U.K. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss in support of the country last month. Countries across Europe have been expanding their focus on the Indo-Pacific over the past year, he added.
According to Wu, relations between Taiwan and European countries are going strength from strength, as shown by the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia’s recognition that Taiwan is a reliable partner, as well as the inauguration of the Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania last year and Taiwan’s increased import of Lithuanian products earlier this year.
Taiwan and Germany will continue deepening their partnership, Wu said. This is evidenced by agreements sealed by Germany’s new traffic light coalition following last year’s federal parliamentary election that heavily stress the importance of cross-strait peace and stability and Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, he added.
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the MOFA said: “Minister Wu’s @faznet interview packs a punch! Read about the lessons #Taiwan learned from #Ukraine’s resistance, defensive measures to counter #China’s rising military threat, & expanded cooperation with European countries & global partners.” (YCH-E)
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