New defense minister takes questions on China invasion

Описание: Taiwan''s newly appointed defense minister says his goal is to be ready for war at all times. Defense minister Chiu Kuo-cheng, who assumed his post last month, was speaking to lawmakers during his first interpellation session. He said that the military was preparing as if conflict could break out in the next six hours. He emphasized that the military aims to be self-sufficient in the event of a war, instead of assuming that other countries will come to Taiwan''s aid.

For the first time in his capacity as minister of national defense, Chiu reported to the Legislative Yuan on Wednesday. Lawmakers congratulated him on his new position. They also tested him on how he would navigate shifting geopolitical tides.

Liao Wan-ju
KMT lawmaker
U.S. Indo-Pacific Commander Philip Davidson has said war could break out in the Taiwan Strait in the next six years, with the Communist invasion of Taiwan. He said it would take the U.S. at least 17 days to reach the first island chain. But from what I recall, the Ministry of National Defense has always said that Taiwan would be able to hold the line for at least seven days.

Chiu Kuo-cheng
Minister of national defense
It doesn''t matter if it''s 17 days or seven days. Our military''s top priority isn''t looking at six years down the line. We already have protocols in place for if something happens in the next six hours. There''s a principle I stick to, and it''s that this is our country, and we have to rely on ourselves to save it. How long it would take for someone else to reach us is not a factor we consider. The point we have always emphasized is that if you want a fight, we''ll fight with you for as long as you want. We won''t be going into it, counting down the days.

Taiwan will fight for as long as China fights, he said, taking a tough stance. In addition, he said the military is changing its approach to China''s warplane incursions.

Chiu Kuo-cheng
Minister of national defense
We know that it''s a tactic in their war of attrition, so we''re adjusting the way we deal with it. If we continue with our one-to-one approach, our losses will be tremendous. So how can we monitor the situation through other means, in a way that gives us a full grasp on their movements and lets us react if necessary? The military already has a plan in the works, and we''ll follow that.

The defense chief said Taiwan would also work to enhance its joint operational capacities.

The threat of China looms large. The defense and foreign ministers of Japan and the U.S. met in Tokyo on Tuesday to discuss the Chinese threat. In a joint statement afterward, the officials acknowledged that Beijing''s behavior presents challenges to the international community. They also underscored the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Chiu Kuo-cheng
Minister of national defense
The huge enemy that Taiwan is up against really puts a lot of pressure on us. The officials have acknowledged this. I think that future cooperation based on the existing foundation and additional talks would both be positive. And we''d be glad to see that happen.

The minister said the union of Japanese and American forces to counter China was a positive development. At his first showing in the legislature, it was clear that many challenges lay ahead for Taiwan''s defense minister.