The government of Taiwan is committed to working with its like-minded partners to defend democratic values and counter authoritarian expansionism, Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu said Aug. 8.
At the same time, the government will continue to enhance its self-defense capabilities to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, he added.
Wu made the remarks during an exclusive interview with CNN’s Will Ripley in Taipei City about the significance of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit earlier in the month and China’s recent military activities. The program was aired on the news network’s “New Day” segment later the same day.
According to Wu, the people of Taiwan sincerely welcomed Pelosi’s visit, as it reflected unwavering support from the U.S. and greatly encouraged the country to remain resolute.
China’s military coercion has been getting progressively worse over the last few years, the minister said, adding that Beijing’s military threat has always been there regardless of Pelosi’s visit.
Wu said China’s ongoing life-fire drills near Taiwan are dangerous, provocative, unwarranted and upsetting to the region. Beijing cannot dictate who can come to Taiwan or who can be Taiwan’s friend, he added.
Despite the economic sanctions and both military and nonmilitary intimidation tactics, Taiwan’s democracy is more resilient than ever, Wu said, adding that life goes on as normal in Taiwan and the people remain undaunted.
The minister said China’s ambitions will not end with Taiwan. Beijing is claiming territory in the East and South China Seas, exercising its influence in Africa, Latin America and South Asia and working hard to reach into the Pacific, he added.
While authoritarianism may appear strong, it is brittle, Wu said, adding that democracy will prevail in the end.
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said “#China’s live-fire drills in response to @SpeakerPelosi’s #Taiwan visit jeopardize #IndoPacific peace & stability. Minister Wu details #Beijing’s increasingly serious military threat & the need for our country to remain uncowed.” (SFC-E)
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