Taiwan aims to tread softly, but be prepared for the future

by Maureen N. Maratita
Journal Staff

TAIPEI, Taiwan — The message from Taiwan’s perspective is very clear.

Jaushieh Joseph Wu, Taiwan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs; said on Sept. 6, “There’s a growing consensus … in the U.S. — also in Taiwan — that war is not inevitable, and war is not imminent.” Still, he said, “We need to deter China from using force against Taiwan; any kind of war is going to be disastrous — not just for Taiwan but also for many countries.”

Taiwan needs a responsible policy, he said. “That policy seems to be working rather well as “China could not find any excuse to attack Taiwan,” he said. “This policy is also appreciated by major players around the world.”

“The second matter that we think we should pursue is for Taiwan to have sufficient military deterrence capabilities.” Taiwan is not only increasing its military budget but undertaking serious military reforms, he said. “I think that is the kind of strategy that would deter the other side from thinking of using force against Taiwan, or to allow the other side to know that it would not be that easy for them to take over Taiwan.”

Taiwan will be procuring arms from the United States for that purpose, Wu said, as well as honing its military training and extending its military service. “And we are also engaging in real serious exchanges with a key partner of ours — the United States — for our military to be better trained.”

The U.S. is very concerned at the threat to “peace and stability in the region,” Wu said, and had been intensifying its military exercises with countries in the region. Japan was equally trying to prepare, he said. Another country that is trying to prepare is Japan, after repeated People’s Republic of China intrusions into the East China Sea around disputed islands. 

Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense monitors and posts information of incursions into its waters and air space. On Sept. 19, 55 People’s Liberation Army aircraft and seven PLA Navy vessels around Taiwan were detected by 6 a.m. “R.O.C. Armed Forces have monitored the situation and tasked CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and land-based missile systems to respond these activities,” the ministry posted. By 6 a.m. on Sept. 22, a total of 32 aircraft sorties (including 24 that crossed the central line of the Strait and its extension lines into the northern, southwest and southeastern airspace) and a total of seven ships were detected, continuing to operate around the Taiwan Strait.
Wu said, “The frequency is very high. It’s like an everyday intrusion.” He later said, “We simply have to stand guard.”

There are 79.5 miles between China and Taiwan at its closet point. Taiwan’s Kinmen island, also known as Quemoy, is located just off the coast of Fujian Province in China. It is the closest Taiwanese territory to China, with 1.2 miles between the two land masses.

On Sept. 24, according to Taiwan media reports, the Ministry of Defense said the PLA began a round of exercises on the coast of Fujian Province, involving PLA warplanes, warships and ground troops.
Nevertheless, while incursions continue, Wu said, “There’s a growing consensus … in the U.S. that war is not inevitable, and war is not imminent.” From Taiwan’s perspective, “China could not find any excuse to attack Taiwan,” he said.

As to international attitudes to cross-strait relations between the Peoples Republic of China and the Republic of China, Taiwan, Wu said, “Around the world they consider Taiwan a very responsible player.”

Guam has received threats from the PRC and its U.S. military assets on the island are notable, with Andersen Air Force Base to the North, Naval Base Guam to the South. Construction at Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz continues.

Wu declined to comment to the Journal on reports of recent training of its troops with the National Guard in the U.S. mainland. However, he said, “We appreciate that the U.S. government would think about how to help our soldiers train.” Training has increased the morale and determination of Taiwanese soldiers, he said.

Deputy Foreign Minister Roy Chun Lee, together with senior officials of the foreign ministry, welcomed members of a global media delegation to Taiwan on Sept. 4. China is trying to achieve its strategic agenda through “a series of carrots and sticks,” he said. “There are awards; there [is] assistance,” he said. “At the same time there are also cautions and intimidation — cautions against Taiwan … . They are trying to achieve a chilling effect.”
Taiwan is aiming to maintain an economy and “a political entity that is active globally and also in this part of the world,” he said.

Against a background of China’s economic slowdown, Lee advocated a measured approach, he said. “For the next 12/24 months I think everybody including Taiwan — we need to keep calm against China, because China can get very angry about many things. … I think for the next 12 months it’s very important to save China’s face. It’s a Chinese tradition,” he said.

Lee also declined to comment on U.S. policy to the Journal, specifically whether he thought an increased military presence in Guam was a provocation to China or a deterrent. “What I’m seeing is that the U.S. is increasing its posture to deter China; to prevent any country in in this region to make the worst-case decision”. Similarly he said, “What Taiwan is doing is to avoid a war by increasing our preparedness. … We are not inviting war; we are avoiding war.”

Taiwan media reported on Sept. 8 that a “U.S. Joint Training Team Logistics Support Group” will be set up in the country. Reports also surfaced the week of Sept. 18 from the U.S. and Japan of plans for future training of Taiwan troops in the U.S. mainland.

Prior Taiwan media reports included confirmation of training of Taiwan military personnel in Guam in 2021 — a platoon of Taiwanese Marines. 

The nation welcomes messages of support on tensions as well as its international status, Wu said.

President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. spoke to the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 19. He said, “We [Palau] urge the United Nations and all parties involved in the Taiwan Straits to exercise restraint and seek a peaceful resolution to reduce tensions. The well-being and prosperity of nations and their economies are intrinsically linked to global peace and stability.”

Whipps also advocated for change on excluding Taiwan from the U.N., and recognized Taiwan among its partner nations for its help in training and upskilling the local population.

Marshall Islands President David Kabua on Sept. 21 called on the United Nations to rescind its interpretation of Resolution 2758, which currently bars Taiwan from participating in the organization.

Kabua said the U.N. "will never be whole and complete without the meaningful participation of the 23 million people of Taiwan."

The U.S. Congressional Taiwan Caucus issued a statement from its co-chairmen on Sept. 12, calling for Taiwan’s participation in the U.N.’s General Assembly.

“The United States Congress unequivocally supports Taiwan. This July, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed H.R. 1176, the Taiwan International Solidarity Act, which made clear that UNGA Resolution 2758 “did not address the issue of representation of Taiwan and its people in the United Nations or any related organizations,” the statement said.

Internationally, news of cross Strait tensions and opinions on developments are widely share and vary depending on alliances.

In Taiwan, according to a July survey commissioned by the Mainland Affairs Council in July from the Election Study Center of National Chengchi University, 90.1% of a sample survey of the population either “strongly support” or “support” government enhancement of self-defense capabilities … and upholding a non-provocative cross-Strait policy stance to maintain peace in the Taiwan strait.” Similarly, 82.6% of a sample survey of the population “strongly support” or “support” its government that the development of cross Strait relations be decided by the people of Taiwan. And 87.1% agree that international support of maintenance of peace in the Taiwan Strait is “very important” or “important.”

The Guam Legislature periodically supports Taiwan, unanimously passing a resolution in the 36th Guam Legislature calling for the country’s participation in the World Health Organization’s 75th World Health Assembly in 2022, as it did in 2021. mbj