Tensions in the Taiwan Strait have been put in the spotlight, grabbing global attention and highlighting the importance of Taiwan’s defense capabilities.
When previously facing China’s threats, Taiwan followed the principles of non-provocation and not firing the first shot.
However, China has been constantly employing “gray zone” tactics to intimidate and spy on Taiwan. It has sent more frequent aircraft, ships and drones to the military gray zone between the two sides.
China’s military threats and its ambitions to annex Taiwan have become blatant, a cause for great concern for democratic countries.
Minister of National Defense Chiu Kuo-cheng (邱國正) said in the Legislative Yuan a few days ago that the tacit understanding that each side keep to their own side of the Taiwan Strait median line has essentially been destroyed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and the military “status quo” between the two sides of the Strait has therefore changed.
“Taiwan’s military was rather self-restrained in the beginning, but having been encroached over and over again, we have adjusted our response — if any aircraft or vessel crosses the line, we will destroy them,” Chiu said.
Chiu is right. As Taiwan has endured China’s threats for many years, if the nation continues to retreat, even the basic framework of its defense operations and territory would eventually disappear.
Chiu’s statement could not only change the military’s mentality in the face of a Chinese incursion, but could change thinking among Taiwanese about cross-strait relations.
People certainly do not want armed conflict between the two sides of the Strait; preparation for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace.
This is the attitude that the military and Taiwanese should keep in mind. Chiu’s remarks are a boost. Under such guidelines, a safer environment for Taiwan can be created.
Li Kuan-long is a lecturer at the Center for General Education at Cheng Shiu University.
Translated by Lin Lee-kai
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