Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng (邱國正) expressed concern on Thursday about escalating tensions across the Taiwan Strait, citing the recent incident involving a capsized Chinese boat. He emphasized the need to avoid conflict and underscored Taiwan’s commitment to strengthen combat readiness without provoking a war.
In an interview before a Legislature meeting, Premier Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) addressed China’s unilateral actions disrupting peace in the Taiwan Strait. Chen also stressed the importance of being prepared for potential conflicts, stating that preparation for war prevents war, and the ability to fight leads to peace, therefore highlighting governmental efforts to bolster Taiwan's defensive capabilities.
Chen also called on China to share responsibility for maintaining the strait's stability, noting the critical role it plays in global peace and prosperity. He says both Taiwan and China must continue to work hard to achieve better reciprocal communication and ensure stability in the Taiwan Strait and that Taiwan remains committed to open communication and coordination to preserve the current peaceful status quo.
In response to China's actions, Chiu announced adjustments to the rules of engagement after the PLA’s definition changed from “first shot” to “first move”, clarifying that any intrusion by Chinese aircraft across the boundary would be deemed an act of aggression. These changes were made shortly after his appointment following former U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s August 2022 visit to Taiwan. Chiu adds that the military should employ caution, analyze situations, and aim to avoid misunderstandings.