Taiwan does not seek military confrontation, but will do whatever it takes to defend its freedom, President Tsai Ing-wen said on Friday (Oct 8), amid a rise in tensions with China that has sparked alarm around the world.
Taiwan reported that close to 150 Chinese air force aircraft flew into its air defence zone over a four-day period since Oct 1, though those missions have since ended.
Taiwan has complained for more than a year of such activities, which it views as “grey zone warfare”, designed to wear out Taiwan’s armed forces and test their ability to respond.
China regards Taiwan as a renegade province awaiting reunification with the mainland, by force if necessary. Taiwan says it will defend its freedoms and democracy.
Read more: Taiwan fears a full-scale Chinese invasion by 2025
Speaking at the annual Yushan Forum in Taipei, Ms. Tsai said: “Taiwan does not seek military confrontation. It hopes for a peaceful, stable, predictable, and mutually beneficial coexistence with its neighbors.
“But Taiwan will also do whatever it takes to defend its freedom and democratic way of life.”
Taiwan wants stability
The forum, hosted by the Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation, discusses various issues, including regional security.
China says it is acting to protect its security and sovereignty and has blamed the United States, Taiwan’s most important international backer, and arms supplier, for the current tensions.
WSJ: "A US special-operations unit and a contingent of Marines have been secretly operating in Taiwan to train military forces there, part of efforts to shore up the island’s defenses as concern regarding potential Chinese aggression mounts." https://t.co/2fgJ09peZS
— Natasha Bertrand (@NatashaBertrand) October 7, 2021
Ms. Tsai said at the forum that prosperity in the Indo-Pacific needs a peaceful, stable, and transparent environment and there are many opportunities in the region.
“But this also brings new tensions and systemic contradictions that could have a devastating effect on international security and the global economy if they are not handled carefully,” she said.
Taiwan will work together with other regional countries to ensure stability, Ms. Tsai added.
“Taiwan is fully committed to collaborating with regional players to prevent armed conflict in the East China (and) South China Seas and in the Taiwan Strait.”
Taiwan has been seeking the support of other democracies as the stand-off with China worsens and is this week playing host to four French senators and former Australian prime minister Tony Abbott, though he is visiting in a personal capacity.
Read more: Taiwan seeks int’l support amid military tensions with China
Mr. Abbott, speaking at the same forum, condemned China for its aggressive actions, aimed not only at his country but also Taiwan.
“Its relative power might have peaked with its population aging, its economy slowing and its finances creaking. It is quite possible that Beijing could lash out disastrously quite soon,” he said.
Mr. Abbott added that he did not believe the US could sit by and watch China “swallow up” Taiwan.
“I don’t believe Australia should be indifferent to the fate of a fellow democracy of almost 25 million people,” he said.
Courtesy: Reuters