Deputy Foreign Minister Wu gives interview to France’s Libération

2025/08/26

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs François Chih-chung Wu warned of China’s composite threats and reaffirmed commitment to safeguarding cross-strait peace, stability and Taiwan’s democratic way of life.
 
The deputy minister made the remarks during an online interview from Taipei City with Arnaud Vaulerin for an article published Aug. 22 by France-based media outlet Libération.
 
According to Wu, President Lai Ching-te’s description of China as a foreign hostile force is a wholly accurate reflection of Taiwan’s current situation. Beijing is trying to weaken social unity and infiltrate Taiwan through daily military plane flights, cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns. He added that many free world nations also voiced concern that Beijing is trying to split Taiwan from the inside.
 
The deputy minister said Taiwan’s defense strategies rest on three pillars: first, by extending compulsory military service to one year and enhancing the defense budget to around 20 percent of total government spending in 2026; second, by international ties via deepening relations with democratic partners so that the world understands the importance of cross-strait security to global stability; and third, by expanding the country’s global participation.
 
As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will defend its free way of life and safeguard democratic values and rules-based international order, Wu said. The country is committed to continuing cooperation with like-minded partners to promote peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, he added.
 
In terms of Taiwan-U.S. relations, the deputy minister stressed that the U.S. is Taiwan’s most important partner and that the relations are deeply rooted in their shared democratic values and strategic interests.
 
Wu said Taiwan holds an indispensable role in the global semiconductor supply chain, and that its production of 95 percent of high-end chips is critical to global technology security. The Taiwan-U.S. partnership is mutually beneficial and will not change, he added. 


Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)