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A Chinese blockade of Taiwan would be an act of war, says Taiwan Defense Minister Wellington Koo

Posted on by L. Dreeye
A Chinese blockade of Taiwan would be an act of war, says Taiwan Defense Minister Wellington Koo

TAIWAN: Defense Minister Wellington Koo warned on October 23 that a Chinese blockade of Taiwan would constitute an act of war with serious consequences for global trade.

He made the remarks while discussing China’s recent military exercise, Joint Sword 2024B, which simulated a blockade of Taiwan and targeted key maritime and land targets.

During the exercise, China demonstrated its ability to potentially cut off Taiwan’s access to international shipping lanes.

However, Koo noted that while the exercises outlined areas for military operations, China has not imposed formal no-fly or no-ship zones.

According to a report by the Central News Agency (CNA), Koo stressed that the absence of these restrictions distinguishes the exercise from a real blockade, which will have a deeper impact on international law and global trade.

“If you want to carry out a so-called blockade, which, according to international law, should prohibit all aircraft and ships from entering the area, then according to UN resolutions this is considered a form of war,” Koo said.

He further explained that military exercises and blockades are separate actions, with the latter having more serious consequences for the international community.

Koo also highlighted the potential global economic impact of any such Chinese action, noting that the Taiwan Strait is one of the most important waterways in the world.

About one-fifth of the world’s freight traffic, valued at US$2.45 trillion, passes through the strait each year. Koo said any disruption to the movement would likely trigger a serious international response.

“The international community could not sit back and just watch,” he said.

China’s military exercises come amid rising tensions between Beijing and Taipei. The Legislative Yuan’s Committee on Foreign Affairs and National Defense discussed various ways China could implement a blockade of Taiwan, including unconventional “gray zone” tactics that prevent outright war, as well as the “python strategy,” a concept that involves gradually limiting Taiwanese territory. access to resources and international support.

The Taiwanese government has taken steps to prepare for such contingencies.

On Tuesday, Taiwan’s Ministry of Agriculture submitted to the Legislative Yuan a wartime food security plan to ensure that essential food supplies are available in the event of a prolonged blockade.

The plan, reviewed by Reuters, states that rice stocks in particular will be maintained for more than three months while supplies are strategically distributed across the island to reduce the risks of disruption from potential attacks.

Koo went on to address the broader national security considerations Taiwan faces in response to the blockade threat.

He said the government is focused on protecting supply chains needed to maintain infrastructure, energy independence and the provision of essential services, including food security and medicine supplies.

Cyberattacks on Taiwanese government agencies occur regularly, he added, highlighting the need to strengthen the country’s information security defenses in the face of persistent digital threats.

China has not yet officially commented on Koo’s remarks, but the developments reflect a broader context of deteriorating relations across the Taiwan Strait.

Beijing views Taiwan as a breakaway province and has repeatedly asserted the right to use force to take control of the island if necessary. Taiwan, for its part, insists on its sovereignty and receives growing support from countries such as the United States in the form of arms sales and diplomatic commitments, although most countries still adhere to the “one China” policy.

The global consequences of China’s blockade of Taiwan could be enormous. In addition to disrupting international shipping lanes, such a move could spark broader geopolitical tensions, especially in countries dependent on Taiwan’s semiconductor exports.

This critical sector, which includes chips used in smartphones, cars and many other technologies, is vital to the global economy. Any extended blockade could radically impact supply chains around the world, potentially causing economic downturns and technology shortages.

As tensions between China and Taiwan continue to escalate, the possibility of a military confrontation or blockade remains a critical issue for both regional stability and international economic interests.