Taiwan’s Premier Su Tseng-chang says it is “out of place” to compare Taiwan and Ukraine, as Ukraine continues to resist a military invasion by Russian forces. Media reports have pointed out that Ukraine and Taiwan both face threats from a larger neighboring country: in Ukraine’s case, Russia, and for Taiwan, China.
Su dismissed the comparison, saying Taiwan and Ukraine have completely different kinds of geopolitical importance. In global markets, too, Su says Taiwan and Ukraine play very different roles.
Nonetheless, Su says Taiwan should be even more alert to potential threats following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Su says those threats can come in different forms. For example, according to Su, the government is working hard to counteract the spread of disinformation and misinformation during the Ukraine crisis. The government views this as a kind of “cognitive warfare” that aims to lower morale among Taiwanese people.
But there is a military aspect to the government’s approach, too. Premier Su says Taiwan’s military is keeping a close eye on the conflict in Ukraine, as well as any signs of troop mobilization in China.
The premier is also hailing the government’s move to set up the All-Out Defense Mobilization Agency in January. The agency aims to ensure that Taiwan’s military reserve forces are battle-ready.
Su says Taiwan has to be self-reliant when it comes to its defense. He says other countries can only defend Taiwan if it is ready and willing to defend itself.