Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu discusses elections and China in an exclusive Q&A | Politics News

By Better Today On Sep 13, 2023

Taiwan Prepares for Presidential Election Amidst Tensions with China

Taiwan is gearing up for its upcoming presidential election in January, with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate currently leading the race. Outgoing Foreign Minister Joseph Wu has expressed concerns about possible attempts by Beijing, which claims Taiwan as its own, to influence the outcome of the poll. Wu believes that China will likely intensify its misinformation and disinformation campaigns, as forceful measures such as military exercises have backfired in the past. Beijing has been increasingly antagonistic towards Taiwan since Tsai Ing-wen was elected president in 2016. Tsai is ineligible to run for a third term.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Wu discussed various aspects of the election and Taiwan-China relations. He highlighted the popularity of the DPP among young voters, but acknowledged that third-party candidate Ko Wen-je has been drawing support from the younger demographic. Wu explained that the DPP was seen as the party that could safeguard Taiwan’s freedom following events such as the Sunflower Movement in 2014 and the protests in Hong Kong in 2019-2020. However, he noted that more mature young voters are now educating their younger peers about the real issues in the presidential election, leading to a shift away from Ko Wen-je and his Taiwan People’s Party (TPP).

When asked about China’s stance towards Taiwan in the lead-up to the election, Wu stated that it is hard to predict, but interfering in a forceful manner tends to backfire for China. While he doesn’t expect large-scale military exercises like those conducted in the past, Wu cautioned that economic coercion and hybrid warfare are key areas to watch. China has been threatening to end the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement with Taiwan, investigating Taiwanese exports, and potentially banning certain products. Wu also highlighted China’s use of hybrid warfare, which involves infiltrating Taiwanese society through traditional and social media to manipulate public opinion.

In terms of how the world should respond to China’s aggression, Wu emphasized the economic decline and authoritarian nature of the Chinese regime. He stated that it is crucial for countries to “de-risk” and be cautious of China’s attempts to export its authoritarianism and exert influence through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative. Wu also stressed the importance of recognizing Taiwan’s limited international space and constant military threat. He warned that if China is allowed to initiate a war against Taiwan, it would be an attack against shared values and have far-reaching consequences due to Taiwan’s geo-strategic position as a major trade route and semiconductor hub.

As Taiwan prepares for its presidential election, tensions between Taiwan and China remain high. Taiwan is closely monitoring China’s actions, particularly in terms of misinformation campaigns and economic coercion. The outcome of the election will not only determine Taiwan’s future leadership but will also have implications for the delicate Taiwan-China relationship and regional stability.