On Wednesday Taiwan issued new and rare bellicose words signaling its response plans should China attack the democratic island. As speculation abounds over Beijing's increased military pressure which has included ever larger weekly and near daily military flights into Taiwan's defense zones, Taipei officials have tended to downplay the possibility of a Chinese move on the island.
Breaking from this reticent approach which thus far has seen officials avoid direct ratcheting rhetoric with the mainland, Taiwan’s foreign minister asserted the island will defend itself "to the very last day" if it comes under attack by China.
Joseph Wu told reporters, "We are willing to defend ourselves, that’s without any question." The top diplomat added: "We fill fight a war if we need to fight a war, and if we need to defend ourselves to the very last day, then we will defend ourselves to the very last day."
Addressing Chinese propaganda regarding its intentions, Wu explained during the ministry press briefing:
On the one hand they want to charm the Taiwanese people by sending their condolences, but at the same time they are also sending their military aircraft and military vessels closer to Taiwan aimed at intimidating Taiwan’s people."
"The Chinese are sending very mixed signals to the Taiwanese people and I would characterize that as self-defeating," Wu said.
The uncharacteristically direct words clearly meant as a warning to Beijing come as China early this week launched new naval drills in waters near Taiwan. Crucially the drills are led by the Liaoning carrier group in order to "safeguard national sovereignty, safety and development interests" - according to a PLA Navy statement.
No comments:
Post a Comment