TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso on Monday (Nov. 13) warned of the potential for a Chinese occupation of Kinmen, one of Taiwan's offshore islands. He noted that while the likelihood of a full-scale Chinese invasion of Taiwan remains low, such a strategic move on Kinmen could still occur.
In a speech at the Australian Institute for International Affairs (AIIA), Aso stressed the importance of Japan and Australia aligning with the United States to present a united front against China's escalating ambitions to forcefully integrate Taiwan, threatening the long-standing peace across the Taiwan Strait.
He advocated for Japan's inclusion in the AUKUS, a trilateral security pact formed by Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States in 2021. Aso believes Japan's participation would enhance the security dynamics of the Indo-Pacific region, coining the term JAUKUS for this expanded alliance.
Earlier this year, Japan and Australia established security cooperation aimed at deterring Chinese expansionism. Aso acknowledged that the idea of JAUKUS reflects his personal views but expressed confidence that such a security partnership in the Indo-Pacific could exert pressure on China's military ambitions.