Taiwan seeks asymmetric military skills
2 Min Read
Taiwanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu said the Taiwanese military needs asymmetric capabilities in its potential alleged "defense" from China.
-
Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (EPA)
According to Joseph Wu, Taiwan's Foreign Minister, the Taiwanese army is in need of asymmetric skills in order to defend the island from a potential "attack" from China.
In his view, the only way to ensure this happens is through a free trade agreement with Taiwan's best friend, the US.
During a virtual event, Wu expressed that asymmetric warfare must be developed "so that Taiwan is able to defend ourselves [from China]," adding, “We think that Taiwan is strategically important for the United States. The best safeguard for Taiwan, economically, will be an FTA [free trade agreement] between Taiwan and the United States.”
Wu alleged that he sees no indications of easing tensions with China because Taipei believes Beijing is sure it can take over the nation militarily.
In early February, Taiwan thanked the US Tuesday for selling up to $100 million worth of equipment and services to support its air and missile defense systems.
Thus, Taiwan intends to maintain its strategy of close ties with the US to prevent any closeness from China. Washington diplomatically recognizes Beijing over Taipei but it is also bound by Congress to sell Taiwan weapons to "defend itself".
It is noteworthy that China considers the island of Taiwan an integral part of its territory and thus has long sought to reincorporate it into the mainland.
Beijing tried to reclaim the island of Taiwan multiple times. Just southwest of Taiwan, Hainan Island, another island that almost matches Taiwan's size extends along the Chinese mainland, and China reincorporated it in 1950.
