Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Joseph Wu, stated on April 30th that security cooperation between the United States, Japan, and the Philippines is helpful in deterring China’s regional military expansion. He believes that the possibility of China using force against Taiwan is “neither imminent nor inevitable.”
According to a report by Nikkei Asia, Wu mentioned, “The close alliance between the US, Japan, and the Philippines, with Japan providing more necessary assistance to the Philippines and discussions on a Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), can enhance security cooperation between Japan and the Philippines.” He views this cooperation among these countries as a better deterrent against China, benefiting regional peace and stability.
The Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Minister Wu accepted joint interviews from “Nikkei Asian Review” and “Nikkei Asia” on April 30th. The interviews were published on the official website with titles “Taiwan Foreign Minister: Discussing Responses to China’s Blockade Risk with Friendly Countries” and “Taiwan Advocates US-Japan-Philippines Relations as a ‘Significant Deterrent’ to China,” respectively, on April 30th. The print edition of “Nikkei Asian Review” published it on May 1st.
In response to speculations about the timing of a potential Chinese military attack on Taiwan, Wu pointed out that while China’s military strength has increased in recent years, its economy has declined, and its leadership is focusing on domestic issues. There are no signs indicating that the People’s Liberation Army is actively preparing for an attack on Taiwan. Wu emphasized that a cross-strait conflict is neither imminent nor inevitable, and the most crucial aspect at present is for democratic countries to strengthen cooperation to curb authoritarian expansion.
Wu highlighted that the possibility of China blockading Taiwan cannot be ruled out. Thus, Taiwan continues to strengthen its reserves of food, energy, and weapons ammunition to enhance its resilience. However, on the other hand, a blockade constitutes a quasi-act of war under international law. Considering that over 50% of global shipping traffic passes through the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan is a crucial hub for international flight routes, and more than 60% of chips and over 90% of high-end chips are produced in Taiwan. Should China blockade Taiwan, it would lead to disruptions in global shipping routes and significant economic catastrophes, prompting a strong reaction from the international community.
He praised Japan’s efforts in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, including forming new alliances with the US, South Korea, and the Philippines as a significant member of the Quad dialogue and discussing the second pillar of the AUKUS trilateral security partnership with Australia, the UK, and the US.
Furthermore, Wu mentioned that countries like the UK, Canada, and the European Union are reviewing their Indo-Pacific strategies and strengthening their relations with Taiwan. Various summits and crucial international conferences repeatedly emphasize the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait for global security and prosperity. The US and other countries also exercise freedom of navigation in the Taiwan Strait to ensure regional peace and stability. “We are deeply grateful for the support of like-minded countries toward Taiwan,” he added.
Wu emphasized that under President Tsai Ing-wen’s leadership over the past eight years, Taiwan has been recognized by the international community as a significant democratic country, sharply contrasting with authoritarian China. Taiwan plays a crucial role in the global supply chain and has proactively offered assistance in many international humanitarian crises, becoming a “force for good” in the international community.
Facing the threat from China, Wu stated that Taiwan always adopts a moderate, rational, and responsible attitude, avoiding provocation and not backing down. At the same time, Taiwan strengthens its self-defense capabilities to deter Chinese aggression. President-elect Lai has also publicly stated his commitment to maintaining the status quo of peace in the Taiwan Strait, believing that Taiwan will continue to be an essential partner for democratic countries in countering authoritarian expansion.
The Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that Nikkei Asian Review is one of Japan’s top five newspapers, established in 1876, with a circulation of over 2.3 million copies. It covers international finance, industry, politics, and features reports, columns, and commentary. Its affiliate, Nikkei Asia, an English-language weekly, mainly focuses on Asian affairs and wields significant global editorial influence. The joint interview team on that day included Nikkei’s Taipei Bureau Chief Hatanano, resident reporters Ryu Genki and Wu Lily, and Nikkei Asia’s resident reporters Thompson Chau, Zheng Tingfang, and Li Zihe.