We 'Can Never Win' a War: Taiwan's Former President Ma on the Best Way to Deal with China | DW News

Jan 10, 2024 | As Taiwan prepares for a knife-edge election, former president Ma Ying-jeou has made a dramatic call for a rethink of Taiwan’s whole approach to the threat of Chinese invasion. In this exclusive DW interview, Ma said attempts to deter China from attacking Taiwan would not work. “No matter how much you defend yourself, you can never fight a war with the mainland. You can never win. They're too large, much stronger than us.”

Ma also cast doubt on whether the United States would come to Taiwan’s aid if China invaded – despite US President Joe Biden repeatedly saying he would do so. Ma added that he believed Taiwan could work with China’s President Xi Jinping and said that “we have to” trust Xi on relations across the Taiwan Strait. Ma called for a return to his friendly approach to China as president from 2008-16. “We should use a non-use of military means to reduce the tension,” he said. Speaking to DW’s Richard Walker and Tsou Tzung-han, Ma blamed Taiwan’s current DPP government for the intense tensions with China. He added that in the long term, “unification” of Taiwan with China might be possible – but only if achieved peacefully and democratically.

Taiwan - between Democracy and Fear of China | DW Documentary

Jan 10, 2024

US Senate Republicans Block Military Aid for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan | DW News

Dec 7, 2023 | US Republican senators have blocked a bill aimed at providing billions of dollars of military aid to Ukraine and Israel. They insist that any aid to Ukraine must be tied to stronger policies to control immigration across the border with Mexico. The result of the vote will send the lawmakers back to the negotiating table. President Joe Biden has signaled he's prepared to make compromises to get the aid approved.

Liz Truss in Taiwan Calls for ‘Economic Nato’ to Challenge China

THE GUARDIAN: Former British PM says Taiwan is ‘on the front line of the global battle for freedom’ during trip that China has called a ‘dangerous political show’

Former British prime minister Liz Truss speaks at an event in Taipei, Taiwan, on Wednesday in which she called for a ‘economic Nato’ to counter China. Photograph: Ann Wang/Reuters
Free nations must commit themselves to a free Taiwan and must be prepared to back it up with concrete measures, Liz Truss has said in a keynote speech in Taipei, in which she called for an “economic Nato” to tackle Beijing’s growing authoritarianism.

The former British prime minister said she had come to show support for Taiwan, which was “on the frontline of the global battle for freedom”, under threat from a totalitarian regime in China. Truss arrived in Taiwan on Monday for a five-day visit, and is expected to meet senior government officials.

Truss, who was prime minister for 44 days in 2022 after serving as foreign secretary for the year prior, is the most senior British politician to make the trip since Margaret Thatcher, and drew a rebuke from China’s UK embassy, which said the visit was “a dangerous political show which will do nothing but harm to the UK”. » | Helen Davidson in Taipei | Wednesday, May 17, 2023

ALSO READ:

Chinese embassy calls Liz Truss’s trip to Taiwan a ‘dangerous political stunt’: Former prime minister will challenge Rishi Sunak to deliver on rhetoric about Beijing being a ‘threat’ to UK »

Hasn’t Truss ever heard of the concept of ‘boxing above one’s weight’? If she hasn’t, she should have. – Mark Alexander

Anti-China Drive Backfires in Taiwan Elections | DW News

Nov 27, 2022 | Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-Wen is stepping down as leader of her party. Tsai campaigned in local elections on a platform of defiance against China and upholding Taiwan's democracy. But voters flocked instead to the main opposition party.

Pelosi verteidigt Taiwan-Reise

NACH BESUCH IN TAIPEH
FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Die US-Demokratin und Vorsitzende des Repräsentantenhauses bekräftigt ihre Kritik an China – und versichert Taiwan den Beistand der Vereinigten Staaten.

Die Vorsitzende des US-Repräsentantenhauses,Nancy Pelosi, hat ihren umstrittenen Besuch in Taiwan verteidigt. „Wir werden es China nicht erlauben, Taiwan zu isolieren“, sagte die demokratische Politikerin am Mittwoch in Washington. Die Volksrepublik halte Taiwan beispielsweise von einer Mitgliedschaft in der Weltgesundheitsorganisation WHO ab. „Aber sie halten uns nicht davon ab, nach Taiwan zu reisen“, sagte Pelosi. An ihrem Besuch zu Beginn des Monats hatte es vor allem aus China, aber auch aus anderen Ländern Kritik gegeben. » | Quelle: dpa-AFX/tnie. | Mittwoch, 10. August 2022

„Wir werden ihnen nicht erlauben, Taiwan zu isolieren“

PELOSI WARNT CHINA
FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Nancy Pelosi hat China vorgeworfen, ihren Besuch in Taiwan als Vorwand zu nutzen, um Taipeh einzuschüchtern. Auch der japanische Ministerpräsident Kishida kritisiert Peking.

Während China am Freitag rund um Taiwan weiter militärische Stärke demonstrierte, hat die „Sprecherin“ des amerikanischen Repräsentantenhauses, Nancy Pelosi, der Regierung in Peking vorgeworfen, ihren Besuch auf Taiwan in dieser Woche als Vorwand für die Einschüchterung Taiwans zu gebrauchen. „Die Chinesen machen ihre Schläge“, sagte Pelosi mit Blick auf die Militärmanöver in Tokio vor Journalisten. „Wahrscheinlich nutzen sie unseren Besuch als einen Vorwand.“

Peking hatte auf den Besuch der ranghöchsten amerikanischen Politikerin seit 25 Jahren auf Taiwan mit großer Verärgerung und mehrtägigen Militärmanövern rund um die Insel reagiert, die eine Blockade simulieren. Am Freitag teilte das Außenministerium in Peking mit, dass China Sanktionen gegen Pelosi und ihre Angehörigen verhängt habe. China bestellt japanischen Botschafter ein » | Patrick Welter, Korrespondent für Wirtschaft und Politik in Japan mit Sitz in Tokio | Freitag, 5. August 2022

Trotz Drohungen aus Peking: US-Spitzenpolitikerin Nancy Pelosi trifft in Taiwan ein | DW News

Aug 2, 2022 Ungeachtet aller Drohungen aus Peking hat die Vorsitzende des US-Repräsentantenhauses, Nancy Pelosi, auf ihrer Asienreise auch Taiwan angesteuert. Am Sungshan-Flughafen in der Hauptstadt Taipeh wurde sie von Außenminister Joseph Wu empfangen.

Nach ihrer Ankunft erklärte die 82-Jährige auf Twitter, der Besuch unterstreiche "Amerikas standhaften Einsatz, um die lebendige Demokratie in Taiwan zu fördern". Die geplanten Gespräche mit der taiwanischen Führung konzentrierten sich darauf, "unsere gemeinsamen Interessen" zu fördern und im Bemühen um eine "freie und offene Indopazifik-Region" voranzukommen.

Peking droht Amerika wegen Pelosis Taiwan-Besuch

Menschen laufen in Taipeh am 2. August 2022 an einer Werbetafel vorbei, auf der die „Sprecherin“ des Repräsentantenhauses Nancy Pelosi begrüßt wird. | Bild: AP
„SPIEL MIT DEM FEUER“
FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Die „Sprecherin“ des amerikanischen Repräsentantenhauses ist in Taipeh gelandet. China wirft der Regierung in Washington ein „Spiel mit dem Feuer“ vor.

Die „Sprecherin“ des amerikanischen Repräsentantenhauses, Nancy Pelosi, ist am Dienstag in der taiwanischen Hauptstadt eingetroffen. Ihr Flugzeug landete am Abend (Ortszeit) in der Hauptstadt Taipeh. Es ist der ranghöchste Besuch aus den USA in Taiwan seit 25 Jahren, das die Führung in Peking als Teil der Volksrepublik China ansieht. Pelosi setzte sich mit ihrer Reise über Warnungen aus Peking hinweg – ihren genauen Reiseplan hatte sie bis zuletzt geheim gehalten.

Nach ihrer Ankunft in der taiwanischen Hauptstadt schrieb die 82 Jahre alte Politikerin auf Twitter, „Amerikas Solidarität mit den 23 Millionen Taiwanern ist heute wichtiger denn je, da die Welt vor der Wahl zwischen Autokratie und Demokratie steht“. Ihr Besuch stehe nicht im Widerspruch zu der seit langem geltenden amerikanischen Taiwan-Politik.

„Wer mit dem Feuer spielt, wird darin umkommen“

China warf der Regierung in Washington nach Pelosis Landung ein „Spiel mit dem Feuer“ vor. Die amerikanischen Aktionen in Taiwan seien „extrem gefährlich“, hieß es in einer Erklärung des chinesischen Außenministeriums. „Wer mit dem Feuer spielt, wird darin umkommen“, erklärte das Ministerium weiter. » | Von Friederike Böge, Peking, Politische Korrespondentin für China, Nordkorea und die Mongolei | Dienstag, 2. August 2022

Taiwan Prepares for Possible Chinese Invasion (1997)

Jul 29, 2022 The Last Domino (1997): Following the handover of Hong Kong, China has turned its eyes towards the democratic island of Taiwan. It's enough to send a shiver of fear down the spines of all Taiwanese. They know they could be next and military exercises send a clear signal they are prepared to fight.

China Vows ‘Serious Consequences’ If US Politician Nancy Pelosi Travels to Taiwan - BBC News

Jul 28, 2022 China has warned of "serious consequences" if US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi were to proceed with her visit.

Second in line to the presidency, after the vice-president, Ms Pelosi would be the highest ranking US politician to travel to the island since 1997.

This has angered China, which sees self-ruled Taiwan as a breakaway province that must become a part of the country, and Beijing has not ruled out the possible use of force to achieve this.

Gravitas: China Retaliates after Biden's Taiwan Comment

May 26, 2022 • The PLA has announced it is organising combat drills around Taiwan. The militaries of China and the US are piling up lethal weapons in the region. Is the threat of a war growing in the Indo-Pacific? Palki Sharma tells you how recent developments raise the threat of a conflict.

US Ready to Use Force to Defend Taiwan, Says President Biden | DW News

China Warns US about 'Playing with Fire' on Taiwan - BBC News

Nov 16, 2021 • Chinese President Xi Jinping has used a virtual summit with US counterpart Joe Biden to warn that encouraging Taiwanese independence would be "playing with fire".

The talks are the most substantial since Mr Biden took office in January. Both sides emphasised the two men's personal relationship and the summit was an attempt to ease tensions.

But they could not escape one of the most sensitive topics: the self-ruled island of Taiwan. China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province to be reunified with the mainland one day.

The US recognises and has formal ties with China. But it has also pledged to help Taiwan defend itself in the event of an attack.


La réunification de Taïwan est «une aspiration partagée» par tous les Chinois, selon le gouvernement »

Ros Atkins on… China-Taiwan Tensions - BBC News

Oct 16, 2021 • Ros Atkins examines why tensions between China and Taiwan have increased over recent weeks.

‘Starting a Fire’: U.S. and China Enter Dangerous Territory over Taiwan

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The self-ruled island has moved to the heart of deepening discord and rivalry between the two superpowers, with the potential to ignite military conflagration and reshape the regional order.

Taiwanese helicopters flying through Taipei, the capital. China’s growing military might has for the first time made a conquest of Taiwan conceivable, perhaps even tempting. | Lam Yik Fei for The New York Times
The 25 Chinese fighter jets, bombers and other warplanes flew in menacing formations off the southern end of Taiwan, a show of military might on China’s National Day, Oct. 1. The incursions,dozens upon dozens, continued into the night and the days that followed and surged to the highest numbers ever on Monday, when 56 warplanes tested Taiwan’s beleaguered air defenses.

Taiwan’s jets scrambled to keep up, while the United States warned China that its “provocative military activity” undermined “regional peace and stability.” China did not cower. When a Taiwanese combat air traffic controller radioed one Chinese aircraft, the pilot dismissed the challenge with an obscenity involving the officer’s mother.

As such confrontations intensify, the balance of power around Taiwan is fundamentally shifting, pushing a decades-long impasse over its future into a dangerous new phase.

After holding out against unification demands from China’s communist rulers for more than 70 years, Taiwan is now at the heart of the deepening discord between China and the United States. The island’s fate has the potential to reshape the regional order and even to ignite a military conflagration — intentional or not. » | By Chris Buckley and Steven Lee Myers | Saturday, October 9, 2021

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Xi bekräftigt Anspruch auf "Wiedervereinigung" mit Taiwan: Mitten in einer angespannten Lage betont Chinas Staats- und Parteichef den Grundsatz der „friedlichen Wiedervereinigung“ mit Taiwan. Dieser spielt eine zentrale Rolle in der Ideologie der KP. »

Xi Jinping Vows Taiwan’s ‘Reunification’ with China Will Be Fulfilled

THE GUARDIAN: Chinese president says island’s ‘independence separatism’ is a ‘danger to national rejuvenation’ following a week of tension

Xi Jinping has said Taiwan’s ‘reunification’ must happen. Photograph: Carlos García Rawlins/Reuters
China’s president, Xi Jinping, has vowed to realise “reunification” with Taiwan, without mentioning the use of force, after a week of tensions.

Taiwan responded shortly after by calling on Beijing to abandon its coercion, reiterating that only Taiwan’s people could decide their future.

Democratically run Taiwan has come under increased military and political pressure to accept Beijing’s sovereignty, but Taiwan says it is an independent country, using its formal name: the Republic of China.

Speaking at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People on Saturday, Xi said the Chinese people had a “glorious tradition” of opposing separatism.

“Taiwan’s independence separatism is the biggest obstacle to achieving the reunification of the motherland, and the most serious hidden danger to national rejuvenation,” he said on the anniversary of the revolution that overthrew China’s last imperial dynasty in 1911. Taiwan marks 10 October, when the revolution began, as its national day. » | Staff and agencies | Saturday, October 9, 2021

Taiwan President Warns of ‘Catastrophic Consequences’ If Island Falls to China

THE GUARDIAN: Tsai Ing-wen says Taiwan will ‘do whatever it takes to defend itself’ against an increasingly assertive Beijing

Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen said if the island “were to fall, the consequences would be catastrophic for regional peace” Photograph: Ann Wang/Reuters
THE GUARDIAN: Tsai Ing-wen says Taiwan will ‘do whatever it takes to defend itself’ against an increasingly assertive Beijing

Taiwan is committed to defending its democracy against an increasingly aggressive China, the island’s president has vowed, warning of “catastrophic consequences” for the region should it fall.

The comments from Tsai Ing-wen, in an essay published on Tuesday, came amid record-breaking incursions by Chinese warplanes into its air defence zone. On Tuesday Taiwan’s premier, Su Tseng-chang, said the “over the top” activity violated regional peace, and Taiwan needed to be on alert.

China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has sent nearly 150 planes into Taiwan’s air defence identification (ADIZ) zone in the first four days of October, in what mainland figures and media have labeled a demonstration of strength but which world governments condemned as an act of intimidation and aggression.

Writing for Foreign Affairs magazine, Tsai stressed Taiwan’s desire for peace but said “if its democracy and way of life are threatened, Taiwan will do whatever it takes to defend itself”.

However she also urged other nations to “understand the value of working with Taiwan”, against the broader threat posed by Beijing. “And they should remember that if Taiwan were to fall, the consequences would be catastrophic for regional peace and the democratic alliance system.” » | Helen Davidson in Taipei | Tuesday, October 5, 2021

Taiwan and China: line that Biden must tread is finer than ever: Analysis: the fallout from a conflict triggered by miscalculation or accident could be catastrophic »

Taiwan: China's Next Target? | DW Analysis

Despite China’s increasingly aggressive behaviour both at home and abroad, Beijing’s open threat to take control of Taiwan by force is receiving comparatively little attention – leaving this flourishing liberal democracy uniquely isolated and vulnerable. The threat may be far more imminent than many imagine. According to Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu “the Chinese authoritarian leaders may find Taiwan as a convenient scapegoat. Therefore, Taiwan needs to be doubly concerned about a possible Chinese use of force against us.”

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