Taiwan has conducted regular defense drills, such as the annual Han Kuang Exercises, since 2001. Photo: Central News Agency
Asia Times: China would ‘pay a very high price’ if it invades, Taiwan warns
Mainland affairs minister says Taipei it is cautious and won't provoke an attack - but it can defend itself; Chang Hsiao-Yueh says also called on the US not to use the self-governed island as a bargaining chip in negotiations with Beijing.
A senior Taiwanese minister has declared that China would “pay a very very high price” if it invaded Taiwan. Chang Hsiao-Yueh, Taiwan’s mainland affairs minister, also called on the United States not to use the self-governed island as a bargaining chip in negotiations with China.
The comments come amid a flare-up in tensions over the possibility of the US restarting naval visits to ports in Taiwan. Chinese diplomat Li Kexin recently warned that the day American naval vessels arrive at the island’s southern port city of Kaohsiung would be the day that China’s People’s Liberation Army unifies Taiwan with military force.
Chang, however, urged Beijing to favor regional peace and stability over assertive behavior.
“I think that we have enough defense to safeguard Taiwan,” she said during a briefing for visiting foreign journalists in Taipei.
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WNU Editor: Aside from the military losses that China would receive, the biggest impact will be political and economic. With the exception of North Korea, every nation state would see China as a military threat, and the economic sanctions .... starting with trade and financial sanctions .... would put an immediate halt to China's economic growth .... and may actually put it into a long-term recession.
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