Key facts
- Taiwan's defense preparations are not a provocation, according to Lin Fei-fan, deputy secretary-general of Taiwan's National Security Council.
- Lin stated that China's military actions in the region are aimed at aggression and external expansion.
- He asserted that China, not Taiwan, is provoking regional order by conducting military drills in the Taiwan Strait.
- The official emphasized the necessity of public readiness for potential conflict, drawing parallels to the war in Ukraine.
- Lin argued that Taiwan's self-defense capability is essential for its continued existence.
A senior Taiwanese security official stated on Tuesday that the island's preparations to counter a potential Chinese attack are not provocative. Lin Fei-fan, deputy secretary-general of Taiwan's National Security Council, asserted that China's military activities in the region are indicative of aggression and expansionism, and that Taiwan's own defensive measures are a necessary response.
Lin, who oversees Taiwan's resilience program, addressed a forum in Taipei, emphasizing that China's substantial defense spending and persistent military pressure constitute real threats. He directly countered the portrayal of Taiwan's preparations as provocative, stating that China's actions, such as missile tests in the Taiwan Strait, contradict its claims of advocating for unity. Taiwan, he noted, does not intrude into China's airspace or waters.
The official drew a parallel to the conflict in Ukraine, warning against complacency and stressing the vital importance of government-led efforts to prepare the public for potential conflict. He argued that without proactive drills and readiness, Taiwan might be ill-equipped when a crisis arises. Lin concluded that peace would be immediate if China abandoned its military ambitions towards Taiwan, but that Taiwan's surrender of its defense capabilities would lead to its non-existence.