Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu addresses the China Research Group
On Tuesday 10 November, the China Research Group hosted Taiwan’s Foreign Minister, Joseph Wu, for a discussion with MPs on Taiwan’s security environment and UK-Taiwan relations.
Tom Tugendhat MP, Chair of the China Research Group, welcomed Ambassador Kelly Hsieh and Minister Joseph Wu.
Minister Wu began by addressing the group and the current security environment in Taiwan, noting that “provocations” against Taiwan by the Chinese government are likely to “grow and expand to the entire region”. A full transcript of Minister Wu’s address can be found below.
Minister Wu then answered questions from MPs, with members from the Conservative and Labour Party in attendance.
On the US election, Minister Wu said: “We have faith in democracy, and democracy is going to prevail in the end.” He added that “we are entering into a period which many people describe as the best ever relations between Taiwan and the United States”, and was optimistic that the foundation of relations with a new US administration will be “very good”, with only “some adjustment” to a new leadership style.
On cross-strait relations: “It is desirable and ideal that Taiwan can peacefully coexist with China and that is what we want. We have no animosity towards Chinese people” and “the problem we see is with the CCP government”. Minister Wu added that “the key is whether they can recognise the status quo, that Taiwan has existed by itself for more than six decades.”
On how the UK can support Taiwan: Minister Wu highlighted the importance of the UK demonstrating public support, and supporting Taiwan’s participation in multilateral organisations including ICAO, Interpol and the UNFCC. Minister Wu also pointed out the UK’s existing bilateral trade relations with Taiwan and the potential for future cooperation in the CPTPP.
On Chinese sanctions towards Australia: “That is certainly against our way of understanding the rules-based international order. I am sure the Australian government feels a little bit of pain at the moment in thinking about how to fix that. Nevertheless, I commend the courage of the Australian government, when they see that there are things that are right to be done, they do it. They not only stand up to issues like Hong Kong and Uyghurs, they also stand up on the issue of human rights and democracy. They also speak out in a very loud way in supporting Taiwan’s international participation. This is to be commended.”
On alliance building : “It is my aspiration that Taiwan needs to work with the UK, France, Germany and Australia, New Zealand et cetera in making sure that democracies are grouped together in dealing with challenges that come individually or collectively.”
“China is a fact that we need to deal with. It requires like-minded countries to stand together to deal with these challenges.”
Full Transcript of Minister Wu’s opening address:
“For decades, countries in Asia have cherished the rules-based system and maintained a delicate balance of power in the force of joint prosperity.
Present developments in the region, such as the erosion of democracy in Hong Kong, human rights atrocities in the Uyghur Autonomous Region, rising tensions in both the South China Sea and China-India border area have called for greater attention to situations in the region.
The cross-strait situation deserves a closer look. Since President Tsai first took office in 2016, Taiwan has continued to extend goodwill and work on peaceful bilateral exchange without political preconditions.
Sadly, China continues to try to overturn our democratic institutions through influence operations. They launched a disinformation campaign to infiltrate our society from the grassroots level. Attacks were especially fierce during our latest two elections in 2018 and 2020.
In terms of military threats, in addition to traditional operations, China is also deploying attrition and gray-zone strategies to pressure and intimidate Taiwan by staying below the threshold of war. In 2020 alone, PLA fighter jets have made more than 50 incursions into our southern ADIZ, especially near into the Dongsha Islands, also known as the Pratas Islands.
Armed fishing militia are known to provoke conflicts, and stand ready to engage in clashes in disputed waters. And I can assure you that these provocations are sure to grow and expand to the entire region and beyond.
Given all the pressure on Taiwan mentioned above, our position remains firm. In her inaugural address this May, President Tsai reiterated the principles of peace, parity and democracy and dialogue in dealing with the cross-strait issues.
At the same time, any attempt to downgrade Taiwan and undermine the cross-strait status quo is not acceptable. No matter the pressure, we stand fast by our vision to ensure that Taiwan is a force for good in the world and an actor for stability in the region.
Look beyond Taiwan, and there is the case of Hong Kong. I am sure you are all disheartened to see the decline of freedom and democracy in the pearl of the Orient. And it broke my heart to see the defenceless pro-democracy protestors, many of them younger than my own son, being savagely battered by the heavily armed police.
The lesson of Hong Kong has made the people of Taiwan increasingly doubtful of the CCP’s sincerity in honouring commitments it made in its capacity to govern. Our government is doing its best to take care of the Hong Kong citizens seeking to restart a new life in Taiwan. And we applaud your government’s noble decision to provide special BNO visa arrangements for many of them.
Lately, there is a worldwide trend to restructure the supply chain of key infrastructure of the 5G network and other strategic supplies. Like-minded democracies are forming alliances to pursue joint economic prosperity, and this is where Taiwan and the UK can collaborate.
Taiwan was the world’s second-largest chip provider in 2019. In areas such as foundry, chip design, packaging and testing, Taiwan companies even account for over 50% of global market shares. On top of the world-leading technologies, we also have dedicated engineers and honest providers to help smoothen the 5G supply chain restructuring.
Ladies and gentlemen, the future of Asia has come to a crossroad. It requires all like-minded democracies to develop coordinated approaches to China to ensure that the rules-based systems, built over generations of hard work, remain intact.
Taiwan is on the front line facing Chinese expansionism. And what is at stake is not only the future of Taiwan. but also the future of liberal democracies around the world.
I am deeply grateful for the UK’s support for Taiwan, and we do need you to continue lending us a helping hand. We have plentiful experience to share with you, and the world, and we appreciate any opportunity for us to contribute.
On that note, I would like to thank you, and your government in particular, for your staunch support for Taiwan’s inclusion in the WHA (World Health Assembly). We are thrilled and grateful to see the UK government paying closer attention than ever to the Indo-Pacific region.
Taiwan highly welcomes such attention and would like to continue strengthening cooperation with you to safeguard the freedom, stability and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific and beyond.”