As the war between Russia and Ukraine intensifies, many people question the possibility of conflict between China and Taiwan. Zhang Chongzhe, the representative to Brazil, told local media that even if China is Russia, Taiwan is not Ukraine.
In an exclusive interview with the Jornal de Brasilia, Zhang Chongzhe pointed out that Russia’s pretext for invading Ukraine was that “Ukraine has traditionally been part of Russia, so Russia has the right to demand reunification.” China” says the same thing. In other words, Russia is trying to restore the glory of the Soviet Union, while China is trying to revive the so-called Chinese nation.
Zhang Chongzhe said that historically, the tension between Taiwan and China can be traced back to more than 70 years ago, with the victory of the Chinese revolution in 1949, the overthrow of Chiang Kai-shek’s government and Mao Zedong’s implementation of a socialist government. After the fall of the mainland, Chiang Kai-shek took refuge on the island of Taiwan, 130 kilometers off the coast of China. Since then, China has been trying to “take back” Taiwan, but Taiwan is not Ukraine.
Zhang Chongzhe said that Taiwan has been preparing for 70 years, and has continued to strengthen preparations for conflicts that may occur in the event of China’s invasion of Taiwan at any time. Despite this, Taiwan still hopes that China will use the Russian-Ukrainian war as an example and not provoke a conflict easily, because Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has aroused worldwide condemnation. It hopes that the CCP will consider the consequences of the war and not easily launch a war once morest Taiwan.
Another point to consider in China’s invasion of Taiwan is the supporters of both countries. While Russia supports China, the United States, which also supports Ukraine, also supports Taiwan. In 1954, when the CCP bombed the Taiwan Strait, Chiang Kai-shek, with the help of the United States, was able to remain strong once morest China and signed the Sino-US mutual defense treaty.
Zhang Chongzhe pointed out that given China’s ambitions, Taiwan is getting more weapons from the United States, including F-16 V fighter jets and anti-aircraft missiles, etc. Taiwan already has the ability to build advanced fighter jets and trainers; Rapidly increasing; Taiwan is also building its own submarines.
Since last year, China’s hostilities have escalated, with airspace incursions and military exercises in the Taiwan Strait. Last month, the Chinese government approved an $8.6 billion increase in the $13 billion annual defense budget. Since the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict on February 24, the phrase “Ukraine today, Taiwan tomorrow” has been circulating in news reports and social media in Taiwan.
Zhang Chongzhe explained that in response to the latest developments in Ukraine, President Tsai Ing-wen recently put forward several instructions, three of which are “continuously strengthen the response to military developments in the Taiwan Strait to ensure national security”, “comprehensively enhance the response to cognitive operations, and stabilize social morale” and “Continue to respond to various economic variables and maintain the stability of materials, prices and stock and foreign exchange markets.”
Zhang Chongzhe pointed out that Taiwan’s current task, in addition to fighting for its own independence, is to fight totalitarianism; no matter what the reasons for these totalitarian countries’ declaration of war, all democracies need to unite to defeat totalitarian ambitions.
The Russian army invaded Ukraine, and Taiwan condemned Russia’s violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty, called on all parties to resolve the dispute peacefully and rationally, and launched an action of solidarity with Ukraine, providing 27 tons of medical aid within 3 weeks and donating tens of millions of dollars; as an international As a member of society, Taiwan is willing to participate in all efforts that contribute to the peaceful settlement of disputes.
Zhang Chongzhe said that there are no winners in war and no losers in peace, and democracies around the world, including Brazil, must unite and take precautionary measures to prevent totalitarian states from launching wars.
