Date: June 17, 2024
TAIPEI — In a bid to ease regional tensions, Taiwan’s Defense Minister Wellington Koo declared today that Taiwan is not seeking war with Beijing. Instead, Taiwan aims to build up a robust defensive capability to deter any attempts by China to capture the island.
“Taiwan is committed to peace and stability in the region,” Koo stated. “Our policy is to establish a multi-level deterrence capability, making it increasingly difficult for China to achieve its objectives.”
Taiwan, which is democratically governed, has faced heightened military and political pressure from Beijing, which views the island as part of its territory. The government in Taipei firmly rejects these sovereignty claims.
On Sunday, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te addressed military cadets, highlighting the threat posed by China. He warned against the defeatist mindset encapsulated in the theory that Taiwan could collapse as soon as China launched an attack. “China views the annexation and ‘elimination’ of Taiwan as its great national cause,” Lai said, urging cadets to remain resolute.
When asked by reporters in parliament about how long Taiwan could withstand a Chinese attack without U.S. support, Koo responded that the focus should not be on duration but on strategy. “Our strategy is asymmetric warfare to build our multi-domain deterrence and, during this process, to weaken China’s ability to invade,” Koo explained.
As part of its military reforms, Taiwan is emphasizing “asymmetric warfare” to enhance its defense capabilities. Given that Taiwan’s forces are significantly smaller than China’s, this approach aims to make them more mobile and harder to attack. Examples of such measures include vehicle-mounted missiles and drones.
This latest statement underscores Taiwan’s commitment to peace while reinforcing its defensive posture. The international community has been closely watching the developments in the Taiwan Strait, concerned about the potential for conflict and its implications for regional stability and global trade routes.
As the situation unfolds, Taiwan’s message remains clear: it seeks peace, not war, and is dedicated to protecting its sovereignty through strategic defense measures and international cooperation.
