29-6-202 (MANILA) Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Jaushieh Wu has expressed the potential for security cooperation between Taiwan and the Philippines, citing a shared threat faced by both countries. While he did not provide specific details on the proposed cooperation, Wu emphasized the importance of exploring this area of collaboration.
Coast guard cooperation and disaster response were identified as another potential area for joint efforts. Taiwan remains optimistic about the prospects of improved relations with the Philippines under the leadership of President Marcos.
In an interview with The STAR in Manila on Tuesday, Wu welcomed the United States’ efforts to strengthen the defense capabilities of the Philippines, including the establishment of additional US military installations through the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). He dismissed concerns that the presence of these facilities, particularly the two located in the northern Philippines near Taiwan, would provoke China, stating that China’s expansionism is what truly causes tension in the region.
Wu expressed his belief in the possibility of better relations between Taiwan and the Philippines under President BBM, referring to the current president by his initials. He highlighted the positive reception among Taiwanese people to President BBM’s public statements regarding the importance of peace, stability, and opposition to unilateral changes in the status quo in areas such as the South China Sea.
Wu also mentioned an incident during Super Typhoon Yolanda when the Taiwan Air Force delivered relief goods to the Philippines before facing pressure from China, which led to their operation being halted. He lamented that China employs “cognitive warfare” against Taiwan, attempting to portray geopolitical conflicts as a contest between the United States and China and urging countries to maintain neutrality.
This cognitive warfare aligns with China’s “hybrid warfare” against Taiwan, which includes cyber attacks, disinformation campaigns, infiltration, and economic coercion. Beijing has consistently threatened to retake Taiwan, even through force if necessary. Wu emphasized that Taiwan is open to peaceful dialogues with China but cannot accept reunification under the one-China, two-systems model if it resembles the situation in Hong Kong.
Wu stressed that Taiwan’s position is to maintain the status quo, asserting its autonomy as a self-governing state separate from China. Taiwan has its own president, parliament, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Defense, and an independent currency, the New Taiwan dollar. He expressed hope that the international community does not overestimate China’s economic pressure, citing the failure of massive promised investments to materialize during the previous administration in the Philippines.
Regarding the South China Sea dispute, Wu reiterated Taiwan’s support for freedom of navigation and overflights. He emphasized that Taiwan does not seek to be a provocateur or cause conflicts in the region but aims to preserve the status quo with China and resolve South China Sea disputes through peaceful dialogue.
Wu warned that if China were to wage war on Taiwan, the Philippines might be the next target. He proposed peaceful research or joint scientific endeavors among Taiwan and other claimant countries in the South China Sea as a means to explore natural resources and develop them cooperatively. He concluded by expressing the potential for enhanced relations between Taiwan and the Philippines, given their geographical proximity and shared interests.
