The Legislature’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee held a meeting on Wednesday to address how Taiwan should respond to potential blockades by the Chinese military. Officials from 12 ministries, including the Defense Ministry and Economic Affairs Ministry, discussed ensuring energy, food, and medical supplies in case of such threats.
Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) says that China is increasingly using psychological and cognitive warfare, as part of its gray zone operations against Taiwan. This includes leveraging Chinese domestic law to justify maritime actions, aiming to blur the international community's understanding of Taiwan’s sovereignty.
Koo highlighted Taiwan's strategic position in the Indo-Pacific and the Taiwan Strait's importance as a global trade route. He says that any Chinese military action would significantly impact the global economy and emphasizes that Taiwan’s military is enhancing its combat readiness.
On the possibility of a Chinese blockade of Taiwan’s sea and airspace, Koo told reporters that under international law, such a move would restrict the passage of ships and aircraft and would be considered an act of war. With the Taiwan Strait handling one-fifth of global trade valued at US$2.45 trillion, Koo stressed that the international community would not stand by in the face of such a blockade.