Taipei: Taipei is doing all it can to prevent war amid mounting threats from Beijing, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim said in an interview with German broadcaster ARD. In the 20-minute interview aired on Monday (local time), Hsiao compared Taiwan to a cat, agile and vigilant under harsh conditions but capable of self-defense, and called on the international community to treat the country with goodwill.
According to Focus Taiwan, Hsiao emphasized that Taiwan will not always back down against escalating military pressure, cognitive warfare, and economic-political coercion from China. She highlighted the determination of Taiwanese people to defend their freedom and sovereignty. Hsiao stressed the need for Taiwan to continue strengthening its defense capabilities.
On Taiwan's democratic credentials, Hsiao stated that "Taiwan, or the Republic of China (R.O.C.) (government) according to the Constitution" has long existed and is elected through democratic processes. She reiterated that Taiwan's sovereignty belongs to its people. Hsiao expressed openness to talks with Beijing based on mutual respect and equality, noting that cross-strait stability benefits both sides and the global community.
From an economic perspective, Hsiao mentioned that many Taiwanese companies have diversified their operations to reduce reliance on China and encouraged German firms to adopt the same strategy. Drawing parallels with the Russia-Ukraine conflict, she warned that aggression produces no true winners and stressed the importance of democratic nations uniting to safeguard freedom and resilient institutions.
Hsiao identified Germany as Taiwan's most important European trade partner, and noted potential for deeper cooperation in semiconductors and microelectronics amid the rise of artificial intelligence. She concluded by urging Europe to pay attention to Indo-Pacific security, emphasizing that Beijing must be reminded that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait serve global interests and that any threats could disrupt international trade and supply chains.