Taiwan Rejects Beijing’s Threats, Warns Against Regional Destabilization

Taiwan’s defense ministry urges Beijing to cease its acts of intimidation, vowing strong opposition to any attempt to alter the status quo by force.

Two KH-6 Fast Attack Missile Boats sail in formation during a combat readiness exercise at the Zuoying Naval Base in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, on Jan. 9, 2025. I-Hwa Cheng/AFP via Getty Images

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense has called on the Chinese regime to stop its acts of intimidation in the wake of large-scale military operations in the Taiwan Strait.

“Any attempts to change the status quo by force will be firmly opposed by all Taiwanese people,” the ministry said in a press release in Chinese on Feb. 28. “We hope the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) can face the reality that resolving differences through peaceful dialogue is the right path to meet the interests of all parties in the region.”

The statement followed China’s People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA’s) announcement that it would be conducting exercises in the Taiwan Strait on Feb. 26—a communique that was followed by the presence of 45 Chinese warplanes and 14 Chinese navy ships near the island.

The Taiwanese ministry statement also follows comments made by Chinese defense ministry spokesperson Wu Qian on Feb. 27, in which he threatened Taiwan, saying, “We will come and get you, sooner or later.”

According to the Taiwanese Ministry of Defense, the Chinese defense ministry spokesperson’s attitude is counterproductive.

“History has proved that any form of aggression and expansion will ultimately end in failure. The PLA’s recent actions are following the same paths as previous aggressors and are stubbornly pushing China towards defeat,” it said in the statement.

The ministry further noted that in recent years, Beijing has been escalating military pressure in the Indo-Pacific and the world, challenging the international order and undermining the status quo of regional stability.

“As a responsible member of the region, the national army is working hard to build up its military and prepare for war in order to safeguard national sovereignty, ensure freedom and democracy, and work together to maintain regional security and stability,” it stated.

The ministry’s statement suggested that Taiwan’s actions are the opposite of China’s ambitions. “This is completely different from the violent army that ignores international conventions, suddenly announces shooting training in international waterways, and endangers flight and navigation safety,” the statement said.

Tensions escalated after the U.S. State Department removed a line from its website’s fact sheet that previously said the United States does not support Taiwan’s independence.

“We oppose any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side,” the updated fact sheet stated. “We expect cross-Strait differences to be resolved by peaceful means, free from coercion, in a manner acceptable to the people on both sides of the Strait.”

Like most countries, Washington has no formal ties with Taipei, but it maintains robust relations with the island. A federal law also obliges the U.S. administration to provide Taipei with the means to defend itself.

Taiwan welcomed the change to the U.S. website.

Aldgra Fredly contributed to this report.