Following his warning in an AFP interview that Beijing would target nations in the region if it took control of the self-governing island, Taiwan’s leader Lai Ching-te was labeled a “war instigator” by China on Thursday.
In his first interview with a major news organization since assuming office in May 2024, Lai told AFP that Beijing would become “more aggressive” and pursue its expansionist goals in Japan, the Philippines, and other Indo-Pacific nations if it were to seize Taiwan.
Beijing’s foreign ministry labeled Lai a “war instigator” on Thursday, accusing him of inciting aggression.
At a routine press conference, foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated, “Lai Ching-te’s statements once again exposed his stubborn pro-independence nature, fully proving that he is a peace disruptor, crisis creator, and war instigator.”
“The historical and legal fact that Taiwan is part of China’s territory cannot be changed by anything Lai Ching-te says or does,” he stated.
China has vowed to use force to annex the self-governing island, claiming it is part of its territory.
At a time when concerns have been raised about the US’s commitment to defend the island against a Chinese invasion, Taiwan has increased its attempts to fortify its economic and security connections with Europe, its third-largest export market.
Lai urged Taiwan and Europe to work together more on defense and artificial intelligence in an interview with AFP.
According to him, Taipei, which produces almost all of the most cutting-edge semiconductors in the world, would also encourage its chip companies to invest abroad, notably in Europe.
It has long been believed that Taiwan’s concentration of chip manufacturing provides defense against a Chinese attack and encourages the United States to defend it.
Beijing’s foreign ministry responded by stating that attempts to strengthen ties between Taiwan and Europe would not be effective in protecting the island.
Lin told reporters, “It is utterly foolish and bound to fail to seek independence by depending on foreign assistance and to use force to reject reunification.”
Even though Taiwan has upgraded its military with billions of dollars over the last ten years, Washington continues to pressure it to do more in that regard and to boost the ability of its semiconductor manufacturers to produce in the US.
