In response to the Chinese mainland authorities launching a 'special operation in the eastern Taiwan waters,' Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said in an interview at the Legislative Yuan on Wednesday that the CCP uses the excuse of law enforcement as a pretext for expansion. This behavior not only undermines the status quo but also attempts to create a regional 'new normal.' Therefore, Taiwan will respond together with like-minded countries and calls on the international community to jointly stop the CCP's military expansion.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has severely condemned the absurd actions of the Chinese mainland in infringing on Taiwan’s sovereignty and rights, and illegally harassing relevant vessels at sea.
Lin Chia-lung stated that the sovereignty of the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China are not subordinate to each other, and the CCP has no right to interfere in the sovereignty or jurisdiction of the eastern Taiwan waters. He pointed out that this is an issue of a troublemaker undermining the status quo.
He called on the international community to work together to stop the CCP's military expansion, which seeks to reach from the Taiwan Strait to the First Island Chain, and even to the Second Island Chain in the Pacific.
Lin Chia-lung pointed out that Japan and the Philippines may hold negotiations on demarcating their exclusive economic zones and continental shelf in the future. This matter concerns economic zones and fishing rights, and does not involve Taiwan’s sovereignty and jurisdiction. In addition, Japan and the Philippines have informed Taiwan, so Taiwan’s interests will not be affected, and the rights of fishermen to operate will be further ensured.
As for the dynamics of domestic public opinion, Lin Chia-lung hopes all sectors will not fall into the CCP's narrative framework of 'fake law enforcement, real power expansion,' and should avoid being manipulated by the CCP’s cognitive warfare.
Additionally, regarding KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wen mentioning Xi Jinping’s 'goodwill' during her visit to the US, Lin Chia-lung responded that Xi Jinping's only intent toward Taiwan is annexation, and no one should believe talk of 'goodwill.'