Taiwan’s Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng recently voiced his disapproval of a potential war conflict between the country and China, stating that it would result in a “miserable victory,” regardless of who wins.
"If there's a war, to be frank, everyone will be miserable, even for the victors," Chiu said. "One really needs to think this through. Everyone should avoid wars."
In an effort to persuade all parties to avoid conflict, the parliament held a meeting to discuss the safety risks, and measure its projects amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, where Chiu expressed concerns about the potential burden that would weigh heavy on both sides of China and Taiwan.
Chiu assures that Taiwan has learned “many lessons” from the crisis unfolding in Ukraine, Reuters reports. The East Asian island has been taking Ukraine’s resistant response to the Russian attacks, and as a result, has begun implementing asymmetric warfare into its military agenda.
"Ukraine, under unfavorable conditions of the enemy being larger than them, has effectively delayed the Russian military's combat activities," the defense ministry said in a separate report to the session on Thursday.
With Beijing officials not recognizing the island’s sovereignty, it has committed to reclaiming the land one day. In turn, Taiwan is constantly guarding its borders, prepared to take military action if China attempts to invade and control the country.
The tension was further proven by China’s decision to sanction two American companies, Raytheon Technologies and Lockhheeed Martin after findings of them selling arms to Taiwan, Globe Banner reported in February.
Despite its heightened alter level, the country has not yet reported unusual military activities on behalf of the Chinese, though its air force occasionally flies through Taiwan’s air defense identification zone.
"We watch the changes calmly and we are prepared accordingly," Chiu said of China.
A report released earlier last week by Taiwan's China-policy making Mainland Affairs Council states that China is “too busy with ensuring stability for a key Communist Party congress at the end of the year to suddenly escalate tensions with Taiwan,” Reuters reported.
"We must defend our own country," he said, when asked by a lawmaker whether Taiwan could count on foreign assistance in a war with China. "In my eyes, the Taiwan Strait has never been a safe place."