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Taiwan’s Foreign Minister warns of conflict with China in 2027. Photo/Illustration
TAIPEI – Minister of Foreign Affairs Taiwan Joseph Wu, said he was preparing for a possible conflict with China in 2027.
“We take China’s military threats very seriously. I think 2027 is a year we need to take seriously,” he said on LBC’s Tonight program as quoted by The Guardian, Saturday (22/4/2023).
Nonetheless, Wu’s comments show the lengths to which Taiwan is seeking to increase support from the west ahead of a possible invasion. In the interview, Wu stressed the risks the conflict poses to Britain.
“While the UK views China as an economic opportunity in the long term, an attack on Taiwan will affect the UK in a very serious way,” he said.
“Therefore we need to see a comprehensive way so that Britain, Taiwan and other countries can unite,” he added.
In particular, Wu emphasized the extent to which the UK – and the rest of the world – depend on semiconductors manufactured in Taiwan, which make up more than 90% of the most advanced computer chips.
“If there is any disruption to the supply chain or shipping lines, I think it will have a serious impact on the whole world,” said Wu.
Wu drew analogies between China and Russia, saying the world had failed to take Russia’s belligerent attitudes seriously in the past.
“We are not stopping Russia from taking over Crimea. And Russia dared to go ahead and start a war against Ukraine,” he said