Taiwan’s National Security Bureau says China is working on strengthening ties with Russia, Europe, and the Middle East, while strategically competing with the United States. The bureau shared the report with the legislature on Monday, three days before it will hold a joint briefing with the Defense Ministry and Foreign Ministry.
The bureau says China intends to continue its coercive tactics towards Taiwan, threatening it by deploying combat aircrafts to the middle of the Taiwan Strait. The bureau adds that China also plans on offering economic incentives to win over the hearts and minds of the Taiwanese people.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping (習近平) visited Russia two weeks ago and further aligned himself with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two sides signed two joint statements and 14 cooperation agreements, raising concerns in Europe that the decisions would affect the Russia-Ukraine war’s development.
The bureau says China continues to marginalize Taiwan in the international community, but its military aggression and economic manipulation have alarmed the United States and other like-minded countries. The bureau adds that these nations have tried to counteract China’s actions and strengthen their ties with Taiwan.