TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Defense Minister, Chiu Kuo-cheng, stressed on Friday (March 1) the importance of acknowledging the de-facto median line in the Taiwan Strait, an informal arrangement long observed by both parties.
Chiu warned of the potential detrimental implications that lacking a buffer zone could cause.
Chiu's statement was in response to China's Defense Ministry claims a day earlier that there is only "one China in the world" and Taiwan is part of its "indivisible" territory; arguing there is no so-called median line in the Taiwan Strait.
On that day, Taiwan's Defense Ministry disclosed information about an extensive military mobilization by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in the surrounding maritime and airspace of Taiwan.
Chinese warships were reported to be strategically positioned in what appeared to be an encirclement maneuver.
China's Defense Ministry maintained that the military exercises conducted by the PLA in the Taiwan Strait were legitimate actions to protect national sovereignty, security, and developmental interests.
These actions were declared as deterrents against external interference and pro-independence forces in Taiwan.
Moreover, Chinese authorities said these were necessary attempts to maintain regional peace and stability, and they would continue to bolster combat readiness to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Chiu further emphasized, that although there's no physical boundary for the strait's median line, the fact remains both sides respect this mutual agreement. A refusal to acknowledge its existence can exert more pressure on the region, suggesting a broader consideration of the matter is necessary.