TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Amid soaring cross-strait tensions and the approaching Han Kuang exercises, TVBS Meeting Room host Wenchi Yu invited former U.S. Secretary of State Mark Esper and Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu to discuss the best approach for the country: bolstering Taiwan's military defenses or seeking more engagement with China.
To this, Esper confidently responded, "Both!"
"I think a strong deterrence is actually the foundation for a good or better relationship with China," said the author of "A Sacred Oath." He explained that building robust defense capabilities and fostering better engagement with China are not mutually exclusive.
Esper further emphasized that enhancing Taiwan's defenses could strengthen its alliance network. "I believe it positions Taiwan better at the negotiation table, or should I say, in cross-strait relations with Beijing."
Echoing this viewpoint, Taiwan's foreign minister elaborated on the two fundamental elements that underlie the nation's current policies.
"The first one is that we do not seek to provoke China," Wu said, emphasizing Taiwan's commitment to maintaining the status quo for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
He added, "We also want to be able to engage in dialogue with China without any preconditions imposed upon us."
Simultaneously, the Taiwanese government is taking all necessary measures to safeguard the nation and deter China from initiating a conflict. Wu believes that if China perceives invading Taiwan as easy, the likelihood of such an endeavor increases.
"We are investing more in our defense, transforming our strategy into an asymmetric one, and training our soldiers for new capabilities."
Through developing a robust defense system, including weaponry and military personnel, Taiwan aims to send a clear message to China and other major democracies regarding the precautions being taken and the nation's combat readiness in an attack.