Will fight China to the 'very last day' in event of an attack: Taiwan

Taiwan’s foreign minister on Wednesday said that the country will fight to the end if China attacks. Joseph Wu, the country’s Foreign Minister also said that the United States had warned of danger from China amid increased presence in the region.

In the recent weeks, China has increased military pressure on Taiwan by conducting aircraft carrier drills near the island. China claims Taiwan as its own territory and has historically not shied from advocating taking it by force.

“I would like to also stress again, that the defence of Taiwan is our own responsibility. If we are not willing to defend ourselves, we do not have the right to ask other countries to sacrifice for Taiwan. And therefore, we take our own defence in a very serious manner”, Wu said during a press conference.

Also read: Aircraft carrier group exercising near Taiwan, drills will become regular: China

Taiwan, on the other hand has complained of increased military activity by Beijing in the recent months.  Currently, Chinese Air Force is making daily entries into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone.

Wu reiterated Taiwan’s pledge to improve military capabilities and to increasing defence spending. “Our defence ministry is very determined in defending ourselves. We are willing to defend ourselves and (it) is without any question. And we will fight the war if we need to fight a war. And if we need to defend ourselves to the very last day, we will defend ourselves to the very last day”, he added.

Also read: Taiwan reports new incursion by China’s Air Force into defence zone

On Monday, China said that an aircraft carrier group was undertaking exercises near Taiwan.

The United States has remained Taiwan’s most important international supporter, and also supplies arms to the country. Reuters reported that the US is pushing Taiwan to modernise its military to make it a “porcupine” of sorts, shielding it from any potential attacks from China.

(With inputs from Reuters)