Taiwanese president warns of “catastrophic consequences” if China wins

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has warned of “catastrophic consequences” in the Asian region should it lose in a war with China. She calls on other nations to work together with Taiwan to ensure this dire scenario never comes to pass.

Tsai also reiterates that the island is committed to defending its democracy against Beijing’s increased aggression. In a piece for Foreign Affairs magazine, Tsai writes: “Through hard work and courage, the 23.5 million people of Taiwan have succeeded in making a place for themselves in the international community.”

However, she notes that the island’s refusal to give up, persistent embrace of democracy and commitment to act as a responsible stakeholder “now [spur] the rest of the world to reassess its value as a liberal democracy on the frontlines of a new clash of ideologies.”

“As countries increasingly recognize the threat that China poses, they should understand the value of working with Taiwan. If Taiwan were to fall, the consequences would be catastrophic for regional peace and the democratic alliance system. It would signal that in today’s global contest of values, authoritarianism has the upper hand over democracy,” the Taiwanese leader writes.

Tsai mentions Taiwan’s position “on the frontlines between the liberal democratic order and the authoritarian alternative” as the reason why it plays a key role in strengthening global democracy. “The people of Taiwan have made clear to the entire world that democracy is non-negotiable,” she adds.

Tsai’s remarks follow Beijing’s aerial incursions

The Taiwanese president’s piece in Foreign Affairs magazine comes amid Beijing’s warplanes entering the island’s territory.

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force has sent almost 150 aircraft into the country’s air defense identification zone in the first four days of October alone. Personalities and media outlets in the mainland have lauded the incursions as a “demonstration of strength.”

State-run newspaper Global Times confirms the maneuvers in a report. The Oct. 4 article by Liu Xuanzun said that Beijing deployed 56 warplanes consisting mostly of fighters and bombers.

Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Hua Chunying says Taiwan is and will always remain a part of China. “China will take all measures necessary to crush any Taiwan independence attempts. [They are] doomed to fail,” she adds. (Related: China issues dire warning, says World War III can jump off “anytime” over conflict involving Taiwan.)

Governments around the world have condemned Beijing’s deployment of planes as an act of intimidation and aggression. Taiwanese Premier Su Tseng-Chang says the “over the top” activity violated regional peace and called for the country to be on alert.

Tsai reiterates in her piece: “Amid almost daily intrusions by the PLA, our position on cross-strait relations remains constant. Taiwan will not bend to pressure, but nor will it turn adventurist – even when it accumulates support from the international community. In other words, the maintenance of regional security will remain a significant part of Taiwan’s overall government policy.”

Window for peaceful resolution remains open

Beijing has long considered Taiwan a province of China, pledging to take back the island by force if necessary. Tsai notes that the mainland “has never abandoned its ambitions toward Taiwan.” However, she points out that Beijing “is replacing its commitment to a peaceful resolution with an increasingly aggressive posture.”

Despite this, other Asian neighbors have expressed hope that the Taiwan-China situation will be solved without the need for conflict. Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said on Oct. 4 that he hopes the two countries could resolve their issues peacefully. The official adds that Japan will continue to monitor the situation and weigh up possible scenarios for its own preparations.

Tsai also leaves open the possibility of peaceful dialogue between Beijing and Taipei. “We will also continue to express our openness to dialogue as long as [it] proceeds in a spirit of equality and without political preconditions. [We] are [also] investing significant resources to deepen our understanding of the administration in Beijing – which will reduce the risks of misinterpretation and misjudgment and facilitate more precise decision-making on our cross-strait policies,” she writes.

The Taiwanese president ultimately notes: “Taiwan does not seek military confrontation. It hopes for peaceful, stable, predictable and mutually beneficial coexistence with its neighbors. But if its democracy and way of life are threatened, Taiwan will do whatever it takes to defend itself.” (Related: Taiwan says it is preparing for war as China continues to provoke conflict with massive incursions of fighters, bombers.)

CommunistChina.news has more articles about Beijing’s aggression aimed at Taipei.

Sources include:

TheGuardian.com

ForeignAffairs.com

GlobalTimes.cn

Reuters.com