In his first interview with international media since taking the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) called Taiwan a tipping point in the global balance of power.
Lin made the comments to Nikkei Asia, emphasizing that Taiwan is not just a “chess piece” caught in the middle, but also an actor in its own right that can help countries manage China’s authoritarian rise.
Calling China’s rise a challenge to the international order, Lin told the paper that Taiwan would work with like-minded, democratic countries to form a democratic, global supply chain as a counter to China’s Belt and Road and Digital Silk Road initiatives.
Photo: Wang Yi-sung, Taipei Times
The government has identified eight industries in which it can cooperate with friendly countries to establish supply chains without the participation of Chinese companies, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, he said.
Taiwan would also increase military spending in line with US president-elect Donald Trump’s goals of friendly countries taking more responsibility for their own defense, he added.
This could potentially mean further integration of the US and Taiwanese defense industries, Lin added, mentioning his hope that the US government would allow for more advanced weapon transfers in future arms agreements.
Taiwan’s defense spending is at 2.5 percent of GDP, more than South Korea, Japan and several NATO countries, Lin said.
Taiwan’s position on the first island chain means that Chinese aggression against the nation has ramifications for the international community, Lin said.
As long as China’s military power continues to increase, Taiwan must also increase its defense budget, he added.
China has already engaged in “gray zone” tactics, such as spreading disinformation and incursions into Taiwan’s airspace, as a way of increasing pressure on the country, Lin said.
Just last month, the Presidential Office invited 19 ministries and 16 local bureaus to participate in a tabletop exercise simulating a military escalation with China, he said.
China is currently blocking Taiwan’s entry into the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, Lin said, adding that Japan should consider signing a separate trade deal with Taiwan.
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