Taipei, February 25 (CNA) Taiwan’s Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-chenk said on Friday that the military was closely monitoring the crisis in Ukraine and was paying attention to the ripples that could occur in the Taiwan Strait.
Russia invaded Ukraine on Thursday with what Kremlin claimed to be a “special military operation” to achieve “Ukraine’s demilitarization and demilitarization”, but Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky invaded in earnest. I called it.
Since Russia’s President Vladimir Putin announced in a speech aired Thursday morning that Russia would launch a “special military operation,” Russian military forces have attacked several cities in Ukraine, the capital of Eastern Europe. An explosion was reported in Kiev. .. More than 100 Ukrainians have been killed, including 10 soldiers, according to the Ukrainian president.
Talking to local media before attending the Legislative Yuan meeting, Taiwan’s Defense Secretary was asked to comment on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Chiu said his ministry is closely monitoring the situation but will not comment on the issue.
“what [Taiwanese] The military side is China, “he added, adding that Russia is wary of the ripples that a furious war against Ukraine could cause in the Taiwan Strait.
He said the military continued to focus on training and defense readiness and would respond in a timely manner to all situations.
Chiu pointed out that Ukraine and Taiwan differ in terms of geopolitical and geographical conditions, and it is not possible to compare the two, hinting at online comments that make Taiwan equal to Ukraine.
Chiu didn’t elaborate, but may have mentioned the fact that Taiwan is strategically located in the Indo-Pacific region. This is the region where the United States wants to maintain its influence.
Unlike Ukraine and Russia, Taiwan and mainland China claim to be part of one country that is ultimately united, do not share borders, and are separated by a body of water called the Taiwan Strait, which is 180 km wide. I am.
Taiwan is also one of the world’s largest sources of semiconductors and an important component of products such as smartphones and automobiles.
President Tsai Ing-wen said that Taiwan and Ukraine are fundamentally different in that they have a “strategic position” as well as the advantages of the Taiwan Strait, reflecting President Tsai Ing-wen’s remarks.
The president countered a cognitive war campaign that China may have launched during this period and told government agencies to prevent China from using the Ukrainian crisis to disseminate false information and affect Taiwan’s morale. He said he had instructed.
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s main opposition, Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Eric Chu, said peace is important and people should not underestimate the damage and risks of war.
Taiwan has a strong defense and must not rely on anyone but itself, Mr. Chu said, adding that it is important to promote peace through dialogue.
update
February 25: Taiwan evacuates citizens from Kiev by bus during the Ukrainian crisis
February 25: Ukrainian supporters rally outside Taipei’s Russian representative office
