Tension in East Asia poses risk to peace
Mainland China’s activities worry Taiwan
Dr Chung-Hsing Chou
Auckland, January 22, 2018
The situation in East Asia is getting tense, actuated by Mainland China’s frequent regional military profile and unilateral actions lately.
In the past several months, Mainland China has increased the frequency of its military forces cruising around Taiwan, including aircraft carrier with a group of warships, warplanes and spy jets.
Furthermore, Mainland China unilaterally launched flight routes, including northbound M503, W121, W122 and W123 along the Taiwan Strait since January 4, 2018 without negotiating with the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
Military threat
These activities not only have constituted a military threat and political provocation to Taiwan, but also have impacted the security and stability in East Asia.
To mitigate the negative impact of Mainland China’s actions, the government of the Republic of China has been forced to take necessary measurements to minimise national risk and call on the Beijing authorities to treasure the hard-won cross-strait peace and stability and resume negotiations about related issues between both sides.
Core Market
Considering the East Asia market is one of the core markets for New Zealand, and the countries involved in the area account for more 30% of New Zealand’s foreign trade, it is in the New Zealand’s interest to support Taiwan’s arguments for peace in the area.
Dr Chung-Hsing Chou is Director General of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Auckland.
(File Photo)
