Devendra Kumar
Liz Truss, the former British prime minister, is set to visit Taiwan next week, where she will emphasize the importance of “hard power” in deterring conflict in the South China Sea. Truss, known for her hawkish stance on China, is expected to meet with Taiwanese government officials and urge the West to take a more proactive approach to military and defense cooperation.
In a statement, Truss is quoted as saying, “We cannot pretend there can be meaningful deterrence without hard power. And if we are serious about preventing conflict in the South China Sea, we need to get real about military and defense cooperation.” This stark warning comes during a time of heightened tensions between the West and China, with Beijing’s growing global influence and territorial ambitions.
Truss’s visit to Taiwan is seen as a significant move, as it marks a departure from the more low-key approach taken by the current UK government. Her statements are likely to be met with interest and scrutiny, particularly given her previous experience as foreign secretary and her brief tenure as prime minister.
During the visit, Truss is also expected to support Taiwanese membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a major regional trade agreement. She will call on UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to back a “fast-track” accession for Taiwan, which would boost UK-Taiwan trade and generate new economic links and resilience for the democracy.
Truss’s comments on China’s role in the global balance of power are also noteworthy. She describes the Chinese Communist Party’s ideological struggle with the free world as a “battle of ideas” that is just as crucial as China’s bid for global influence. Her statements underscore the risks posed by China’s growing military might and its increasingly assertive diplomacy.
The former UK prime minister has a deep admiration for Taiwan and its people, which she is expected to express during the visit. She views Taiwan as a major player in the global struggle for freedom, and believes that its continued success is crucial to the future of democracy. Truss’s words are likely to resonate with Taiwanese leaders and citizens, who have long navigated the delicate balance between Beijing and Washington.
In the end, Truss’s remarks serve as a warning to the West about the dangers of underestimating China’s ambitions. She urges the UK and other Western powers to take a stronger stance on military and defense cooperation, and to support democratic allies like Taiwan as they face the challenges of the 21st century.