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Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu stands bravely against China and says. It would stand firm in protecting the country’s freedom and democracy even amid more serious and grave threats from Chinese authorities. The erratic behavior exhibited by China began when US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan last week.
When Pelosi visited Taipei a week ago, China responded with the announcement. It would carry out military drills and activities around the country. The drills have been going on until now, even with Pelosi already out of the country. Which led the minister to issue his statement of defiance against the superpower.
“China has always been threatening Taiwan for years, and it’s getting more serious in the last few years. Whether Speaker Pelosi visits Taiwan or not. The Chinese military threat against Taiwan has always been there. That is the fact that we need to deal with,” Wu said.
According to Wu, Taiwan welcomed the US House Speaker because it had to increase its ties with other foreign countries. A move that China had continuously blocked. Wu said that China had been attempting to isolate Taiwan from the international community. Now, it has come to break away from China’s control regardless of the possible backlash it could cause.
“(China) cannot dictate to Taiwan that we should not welcome anyone. Who likes to come and show support for Taiwan,” added Wu.
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China’s response to Pelosi’s visit
The Chinese government had long disagreed with Pelosi’s plans to visit Taiwan. However, even with the threats that China issued, Pelosi, together with other officials and staff. Visited Taiwan and engaged in meetings with the country’s legislation.
Pelosi’s visit is the first time in 25 years since a high-ranking incumbent official from the US visited the country.
When Pelosi landed in Taipei, China then announced that it would begin military drills near Taiwan. Experts said that the drills have been executed “closer than ever.” The exercises were bound to end on Sunday, but it has been going on for extended periods.
While the military drills continued, Taiwan communities remained calm. Business continued as usual, and the Taiwanese society went on with its usual setup.
The threat posed by China said Wu, only encouraged the country’s government to strengthen. Its ties with other foreign countries and show that it’s not afraid of China’s fear-mongering.
“I worry that China may really launch a war against Taiwan,” Wu said. “But what it is doing right now is trying to scare us. The best way to deal with it (is) to show to China that we are not scared.”
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What Pelosi did in Taiwan
Wu revealed that they were surprised by the visit as the notice of Pelosi’s visit came at short notice.
“Since her travel is always subject to a lot of considerations, especially security considerations. We were not able to find out until the very last moment. When she firmed up her plan,” the minister said.
In Taiwan, Pelosi made a courtesy visit to the president. Where she and President Tsai Ing-wen talked for a time. Pelosi impressed upon the president that the “US stands with Taiwan.” The House Speaker then sat down with the country’s legislature. Discussed several matters of state that Wu declined to disclose.
According to Wu, she was amazed by the Speaker’s charm. Most especially when she landed and told the Taiwanese officers welcoming her that she had been looking forward to the visit for a long time.
“And by the time she departed, she not only said goodbye to me. But also said goodbye to the ground crew, the security people. To those people who had been taking care of the airport, one by one,” Wu recollected.
Wu described that the US had long since supported Taiwan in its policies and decisions. However, this time, the support, according to the minister, was “unprecedented.”
