by Francis Tuschek, Staff Writer
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte’s comments about China’s intimidation of Taiwan and its desire to alter the global order carry considerable weight, especially as authoritarian regimes intensify their aggressiveness, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) stated yesterday.
During a speech at the Carnegie Europe think tank in Brussels on Thursday, Rutte highlighted that Beijing is pressuring Taiwan and may begin to “nibble” at it if Russia gains from a peace agreement following its invasion of Ukraine.
He urged democratic allies to increase defense investments and called on NATO members to raise their military spending in light of escalating threats from both Russia and China.
In his address, Rutte emphasized the need to recognize China’s ambitions, noting that it is significantly enhancing its military capabilities, including its nuclear arsenal, without transparency or restrictions. He projected that China’s nuclear stockpile, which stood at 200 warheads in 2020, could exceed 1,000 by 2030, alongside skyrocketing investments in space launch technologies.
“China is bullying Taiwan and seeking access to critical infrastructure in ways that could severely impact our societies,” he warned.
Rutte pointed out that not only Russia and China, but also North Korea and Iran, are actively working to undermine North America and Europe, aiming to erode freedoms and reshape the global landscape.
He expressed concern that while China is rapidly advancing in military capabilities, NATO allies are falling behind.
In the Q&A session, Rutte remarked that the outcomes of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia would influence China’s subsequent actions regarding Taiwan. He stressed that Ukraine must maintain “positional strength” in negotiations; otherwise, Russian President Vladimir Putin could secure a detrimental agreement that might embolden China to act against Taiwan.
Rutte noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping would be observing these developments closely, contemplating their implications for Taiwan. He underscored the importance of reaching a favorable peace deal that encompasses all necessary elements.
In Taipei, MOFA released a statement highlighting that Rutte’s speech was his first since assuming the role of NATO secretary-general on October 1. They commended his clear acknowledgment of China’s expansionist behavior and aggressive intentions toward Taiwan, urging the international community to confront the threats posed by China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran to global peace and security.
MOFA emphasized that in the face of authoritarian regimes collaborating to disrupt regional peace and stability, Taiwan, as a responsible democratic entity, will continue to partner with G7 nations, NATO, and like-minded countries to uphold peace, stability, and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and in the Indo-Pacific region.
