Since the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine, many have drawn comparisons between Ukraine and the threat Taiwan faces from China. In response, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu told US broadcaster CNN that Taiwan is “ready and prepared” to defend itself.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has awoken the world to the threat that authoritarian powers pose to democratic countries.
Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu says that Ukrainians were able to withstand the Russian invasion for over two months due to the strength of their resolve and their ability to wage asymmetric warfare. Taiwan wants to keep enhancing its own capabilities, but also to win support from like-minded countries.
The Taiwan Strait has been a topic raised by high-level officials from the United States, Japan and the European Union. Minister Wu believes that Chinese expansion in the Indo-Pacific and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have shown the world how important Taiwan is.
In a recent CNN interview, Joseph Wu said China is waging gray-zone warfare against Taiwan. Besides constant aerial incursions into Taiwan’s air defense zone, Chinese authorities are also trying to spread fake news and divide Taiwanese society. He says the threat to Taiwan is real, and protecting the country is everyone’s responsibility.
Tomasz Koper, RTI News