Taiwan’s outgoing foreign minister, Joseph Wu, has emphasized the importance of democracies uniting against the expansionist efforts of Russia and China. He warned that the fall of Ukraine to Russia could lead to further expansion of China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific. Wu called on Western powers to continue to support Ukraine and send a message that democracies will defend one another. He also highlighted the risks of a potential conflict in the South China Sea, where China has overlapping territorial claims with several of its neighbors.
Wu emphasized the need for democracies to push back against authoritarian states that threaten their rights and sovereignty. He called on countries to counter Russia and China’s military assertiveness in regions like Europe and the South China Sea. Wu expressed concerns about joint military drills between China and Russia raising tensions in Japan and other neighboring countries. China’s increasing aggression against Taiwan was also a point of concern, with Beijing trying to change the status quo through various actions, including ramping up military pressure and conducting information warfare.
Taiwan faces increasing pressure from China, which claims the island as its own territory and sends warships and military vessels near it almost daily. Despite this, Wu stated that Taipei is committed to maintaining peace and the status quo in relations with Beijing. He emphasized that Taiwan does not provoke China but remains open for contact, dialogues, and negotiations in a peaceful manner. Wu also highlighted the role of security pacts such as those between the U.S., Australia, and Japan in deterring China from becoming more aggressive in the region.
Wu acknowledged the challenges of his role as Taiwan’s foreign minister, describing it as one of the most difficult in the world. He has worked to improve unofficial ties with European and Asian nations and the U.S., Taiwan’s strongest unofficial ally. Despite China’s efforts to poach Taiwan’s diplomatic allies, Wu has sought to strengthen Taiwan’s relationships with other countries. European nations have become more sympathetic to Taiwan’s cause due to various factors, including China’s actions in the South China Sea and its human rights crackdowns.
As Wu prepares to leave his post, he expressed confidence in Taiwan’s continued close ties with the U.S. regardless of the outcome of the November presidential election. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong relationship with Washington in the face of China’s increasing aggression. With China and Russia supporting each other’s expansionist efforts, Wu stressed the need for democracies to align and push back against authoritarian states that threaten global security and stability.
