Former NATO chief wants countries to punish China for attacking Taiwan

• The former NATO secretary-general warned during a visit to the island on Thursday.
• Democratic nations should make it clear the “grave economic consequences.”
• China would experience if it took action against self-governing Taiwan.

China has increased pressure on Taiwan to push its sovereignty claims despite the democratic island nation’s strong opposition. Over the past three years, Chinese air force flights have been conducted practically daily close to the island.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen compared China’s military aggressiveness towards Taiwan to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, arguing that democratic nations must band together to assure Ukraine’s success in order to prevent a Chinese attack on Taiwan.

Rasmussen told reporters at a news conference in Taipei that “any attempt by China to change the status quo in Taiwan by force should generate an equally unified response and we must make this clear to China now.”

“Compared to Russia, China is much more dependent on global supply systems. Clearly stating the dire economic repercussions of any invasion right now would be a highly effective deterrence “, he asserted, adding that he thought Chinese President Xi Jinping was keenly monitoring the course of the Ukrainian conflict.

Until he left the transatlantic defense alliance in 2014, former Danish Prime Minister Rasmussen was one of the world’s most senior diplomats. He urged European nations to develop “comprehensive” penalties against China in the event that it ever moves on Taiwan.

If necessary, China retains the right to annex Taiwan by the use of force. Taiwan contends Beijing’s claims are invalid since the People’s Republic of China has never ruled the island and that only its people have the authority to determine their own future.

Rasmussen suggested that European nations take part in training exercises with Taiwan’s armed forces, which now rely primarily on American and domestically produced weapons.

“The success of Ukraine must be ensured by everyone who supports a democratic Taiwan and an international system based on rules. The free world must back the people of Taiwan and Ukraine in making their own decisions about their future.”

The former NATO secretary-general warned during a visit to the island on Thursday that democratic nations should make it clear the “grave economic consequences” China would experience if it took action against self-governing Taiwan.

China has increased pressure on Taiwan to push its sovereignty claims despite the democratic island nation’s strong opposition. Over the past three years, Chinese air force flights have been conducted practically daily close to the island.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen compared China’s military aggressiveness towards Taiwan to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, arguing that democratic nations must band together to assure Ukraine’s success in order to prevent a Chinese attack on Taiwan.

Rasmussen told reporters at a news conference in Taipei that “any attempt by China to change the status quo in Taiwan by force should generate an equally unified response and we must make this clear to China now.”

“Compared to Russia, China is much more dependent on global supply systems. Clearly stating the dire economic repercussions of any invasion right now would be a highly effective deterrence “, he asserted, adding that he thought Chinese President Xi Jinping was keenly monitoring the course of the Ukrainian conflict.

Until he left the transatlantic defense alliance in 2014, former Danish Prime Minister Rasmussen was one of the world’s most senior diplomats. He urged European nations to develop “comprehensive” penalties against China in the event that it ever moves on Taiwan.

If necessary, China retains the right to annex Taiwan by the use of force. Taiwan contends Beijing’s claims are invalid since the People’s Republic of China has never ruled the island and that only its people have the authority to determine their own future.

Rasmussen suggested that European nations take part in training exercises with Taiwan’s armed forces, which now rely primarily on American and domestically produced weapons.

“The success of Ukraine must be ensured by everyone who supports a democratic Taiwan and an international system based on rules. The free world must back the people of Taiwan and Ukraine in making their own decisions about their future.”

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