TAIPEI: The Chinese blockade of Taiwan or the seizure of an offshore isle would be considered a good act of war and Taiwan may not surrender, an older Taiwanese security formal told Reuters making use of unusually strong and direct language.
While Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and others in her administration have repeatedly said that while they desire peace they would protect themselves if attacked, the details of exactly what Taiwan would consider an attack warranting a reply have generally been left unsaid, given the many scenarios.
Chinese military actions might not be as straightforward as a full frontal assault on Taiwan: it could include actions like a blockade to attempt to force Taiwan to accept China’s rule, strategists say.
Tension between Beijing, which usually views Taiwan as the own territory, and Taipei have spiked since US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi went to the island in early Aug.
To show its anger, China installed military exercises close to Taiwan that integrated firing missiles plus steps to mount the blockade. China provides since then continued its military activities, though on a smaller size.
That has concentrated attention in Taiwan and capitals associated with friendly countries, such as the United States and Japan, on how any discord with China can play out, and how Taiwan and its allies might respond.
The senior Taiwanese security official, talking on condition associated with anonymity, said China’s drills after the Pelosi visit had demonstrated what might happen in case the most severe came to the worst, and focused believed on how Taiwan would react.
“A blockade is an behave of war; seizing an offshore island is an act associated with war, ” the state said, adding Taipei believed Beijing had been unlikely to take either of those actions right now.
“Their just purpose to catch (offshore islands) is to force us in order to negotiate or give up. But we will not surrender or work out. ”
In short supply of an outright attack, many military strategists, and even Taiwan’s protection ministry, have stated China could try and seize one of Taiwan’s offshore islands, like the Kinmen and Matsu archipelagos, just away China’s coast.
“Those are army actions. There is no space for ambiguity, inch the official said.
China’s Taiwan Matters Office did not immediately respond to a request comment.