Most Taiwanese See China’s Territorial Aggression as “Serious Threat” and Are Willing to Defend Taiwan: Survey
Most Taiwanese view China’s territorial ambitions as a “serious threat,” and the majority are willing to defend the nation against a Chinese attack, according to a new poll released on October 9 by Taiwan’s leading military think tank, the Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR).
Chinese dictator Xi Jinping had instructed the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) military to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027. China is carrying out near-daily military exercises around Taiwan and has held three rounds of war games in the past two years.
The poll found that 63.9 percent of the 1,214 Taiwanese respondents viewed the PRC’s “territorial ambition” toward Taiwan as a “serious threat.” Another 19.4 percent of respondents saw it as an “important but not serious threat.”
In the event of a Chinese attack, 67.8 percent of respondents said they would be “very willing” or “somewhat willing” to fight in defense of Taiwan, while 23.6 percent said they would be “less motivated” or “very reluctant” to do so.
Nevertheless, about 62 percent of respondents believed it is unlikely that China will attack Taiwan within the next five years, while about 24 percent said it was likely.
Respondents were split on the ability of Taiwan’s military to protect the country, with 47.9 percent saying they were “not confident” or “not so confident” about it, and 47.5 percent saying they were “confident” or “very confident.”
52.6 percent of respondents believed that the United States, Taiwan’s key ally and biggest arms provider, would send its troops to help defend Taiwan against a Chinese invasion, the survey found.
However, only 39.6 percent thought the U.S. would deploy its navy “to break” a Chinese blockade of Taiwan.
The public’s lack of faith in the U.S. directly and militarily intervening in a war between Taiwan and China could be attributed to Washington’s long-standing “strategic ambiguity” policy, INDSR Chief Executive Officer Lee Wen-Chung said.
Although U.S. President Joe Biden has said on five occasions that the U.S. would defend or conditionally defend Taiwan in the event of an attack on Taiwan, the U.S. Department of State issued statements dialing down Biden’s comments almost every time, Lee said.
References:
[1] Focus Taiwan
[2] Taipei Times
China Has “No Right to Represent Taiwan”: President Lai
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te (or William Lai) on October 10 said that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has “no right to represent Taiwan,” but stressed that the nation was willing to work with China on issues of mutual interest.
Taiwan and the PRC “are not subordinate to each other,” Lai said in his first Double Ten Day address outside the Presidential Office Building in Taipei.
“The People’s Republic of China has no right to represent Taiwan,” Lai said, adding that his “mission” as president was to “ensure that our nation endures and progresses” and “resist annexation or encroachment upon our sovereignty.”
President Lai’s comments were in line with his inaugural speech in May, which prompted Beijing to launch military drills around Taiwan as “punishment” for so-called “separatist acts.”
While warning against China’s “expanding authoritarianism” that is threatening Taiwan’s “free and democratic way of life,” Lai said his administration was “willing to work with China” on issues of mutual interest, such as “climate change, combating infectious diseases and maintaining regional security.”
Lai also expressed hope for “healthy and orderly dialogue and exchanges” across the Taiwan Strait based on the principles of “parity and dignity.”
President Lai reiterated the government’s commitment to defend Taiwan’s “national sovereignty” and “maintain the status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait” through his “four pillars of peace” plan.
The plan, first proposed by Lai while he was running for president, emphasizes the importance of Taiwan’s defensive strength, economic security, partnerships with other democracies, and a consistent cross-strait policy.
Officials in Taipei have said that Beijing is likely to follow Lai’s speech with military drills, which Washington has called unjustified.
“Even though we have not seen significant military activity or exercises following previous 10/10 speeches, we are prepared that Beijing may choose to use this as a pretext this year,” a senior U.S. official said on October 9.
“Again, we see no justification for a routine annual celebration to be used in this manner. Coercive actions like this against Taiwan and in the cross-Strait context, in our view, undermine cross-Strait stability,” the U.S. official added.
References:
[1] Focus Taiwan
[2] Taipei Times
Visiting U.S. Lawmakers Say U.S. Support for Taiwan Is Bipartisan
On October 7, a visiting U.S. Congressional delegation said in Taipei that support for Taiwan is a consensus across party lines in the U.S., and that the Taiwan Strait is vital for regional and international peace.
Visiting Taiwan from October 6 to 11, the delegation was led by U.S. Representative Debbi Lesko (R-AZ) and also included Representatives Andy Biggs (R-AZ) and Carol Miller (R-WV).
They made the remarks on October 7 in a meeting with Taiwan’s National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu at the Presidential Office.
Wu thanked the U.S. lawmakers for their visit and said that he hoped Washington would continue to advocate for Taiwan.
The U.S. has reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait through its joint statements with fellow G7 countries and bilateral statements with friendly countries, Wu added.
U.S. support enhances international awareness of Taiwan’s strategic importance, and also increases the nation’s regional role, he said.
Nevertheless, there are still many important fields of cooperation to be enhanced between Taiwan and the U.S., such as the double-taxation agreement, building resilient democracies, and deepening economic ties, Wu added.
The U.S. lawmakers said they were honored to visit Taiwan, having long paid attention to the geopolitical situation in the region and China’s repeated incursions near Taiwan’s territory.
China’s illegal intrusions are no longer limited to the Taiwan Strait, as Beijing’s actions in the East and South China seas have also received global criticism for not abiding by international law, they said.
The U.S. should work with allies and like-minded countries to stop these Chinese actions, they said.
There is bipartisan consensus on the need to continue supporting Taiwan, the visiting U.S. representatives said, adding that upon their return to the U.S., they would continue to speak out in support of strengthening Taiwan’s defensive capabilities, and contributing to trade and economic relations.
