In a powerful statement, Taiwanese Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu has warned that China's aggression and military intimidation towards Taiwan pose a threat to the island's democratic way of life. Wu emphasized the importance of Taiwan's participation in the United Nations (UN) system, stating that it would demonstrate the world body's determination to unite for global peace. Wu highlighted China's "gray zone activities" as a means to substantiate its hawkish territorial claims, referring to coercive statecraft actions short of war.

These activities, including disinformation campaigns and economic coercion, have expanded to the East and South China Seas, as well as securing ports in the Indian Ocean for future military use. Such maneuvers have raised concerns about the maintenance of peace. With China's growing economic and military might, Wu stated that it has become increasingly aggressive in flexing its military muscle to intimidate Taiwan. This aggression includes sending warplanes and ships across the Taiwan Strait's median line and encroaching on Taiwan's air defense identification zones.

Wu argued that this poses a threat to Taiwan's democratic way of life. The foreign minister stressed that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are in everyone's interest. Half of the world's commercial container traffic passes through the strait daily, and Taiwan plays a vital role in global supply chains as a major producer of semiconductors. Any conflict in the area would have disastrous consequences for the global economy. Despite the UN's principle of leaving no one behind, Taiwan remains excluded from the organization due to China's distortion of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758.

Wu argued that this misrepresentation contradicts the basic principles of the UN Charter and must be rectified. He called for Taiwan's meaningful participation in the UN system to address pressing global issues and ensure a united approach. Wu drew attention to Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a reminder of how autocracies disregard peace and cause destruction. He emphasized the importance of deterring similar threats to global security and settling differences through peaceful means.

Taiwan, with its brave and resilient people, is determined to safeguard the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. However, Wu stressed the need for dialogue and inclusion to maintain peace and unity. Allowing Taiwan's participation in the UN system would benefit global efforts to address pressing issues and hold authoritarian governments accountable for peaceful resolutions.