Taiwan says it’s ‘preparing for war’ with China as a record 52 Chinese warplanes breached its air defense zone. “We will fight to the end,” Taiwan’s Foreign Minister warns

In late August, China warned Taiwan that the United States’ withdrawal from Afghanistan is a lesson that the US “won’t help” Taiwan if war breaks out between the two nations. The Chinese’s state-run Global Times newspaper warned Taiwan that the US “abandonment” of Afghan allies should be a lesson, as the disputed island would be left to fend for itself and “collapse in hours” in a war with China.

But Taiwan said it won’t go down without a fight and is ready to repel any coming attack. Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu warns his nation is preparing for war with China. He urges Australia to increase intelligence sharing and security cooperation as China intensifies a campaign of military intimidation.

In an interview with Australian broadcasting ABC’s China tonight program. Wu warned that Taiwan is preparing for war with China and urged its larger Indo-Pacific neighbor to help. He told ABC’s Stan Grant in an interview that is set for broadcast on Monday evening (local time).

“The defense of Taiwan is in our own hands, and we are absolutely committed to that. If China is going to launch a war against Taiwan we will fight to the end, and that is our commitment,” Wu said.

“I’m sure that if China is going to launch an attack against Taiwan, I think they are going to suffer tremendously as well,” Wu warned. He also made an appeal to Australia’s leaders for greater support to Taiwan during the growing crisis and showdown. In a tit-for-tat word of war, China has responded to provocative statements out of Taiwan.

On Monday alone, China sent a record-smashing 52 PLA jets to breach the southwest defense zone. For two consecutive days, China has violated Taiwan’s airspace by flying military jets into Taiwan’s air defense zone unannounced.

Two separate sorties flew into Taiwan’s airspace on Friday. On Saturday, another two waves of fighter jets were flown in. The defense ministry in Taipei says a total of 77 military planes entered Taiwan’s defense zone. Friday’s breaches saw 38 total jets fly toward Taiwan while Saturday saw 39.

Taiwan’s Premier Su Tseng-chang slammed the flight incursions, saying they jeopardize regional peace. The flyovers are seen as a show of force during the week-long commemoration of Chinese National Day. The situation between the two nations has worsened in recent months.

In a tweet from the official Ministry of National Defense, R.O.C. Twitter account, Taiwan said that a record 52 Chinese Air Force warplanes breached its air defense zone.

“52 PLA aircraft (J-16*34, SU-30*2 Y-8 ASW*2, KJ-500 AEW&C*2 and H-6*12) entered #Taiwan’s southwest ADIZ on October 4, 2021. Please check our official website for more information: https://reurl.cc/WXq2pZ.”

https://twitter.com/MoNDefense/status/1444998286197231617

In April, Taiwan told the world that 25 Chinese Air Force warplanes breached its airspace and defense zone in just a day. The incursion into Taiwan’s airspace took place months before the United States decided to pull out of Afghanistan.

For a total of 91 days from January to November 2020, Chinese air force warplanes made a record 380 incursions into Taiwan’s airspace, according to China News Daily, citing a Taipei-based think tank.

Meanwhile, Wu appealed to Australian leaders saying: “We would like to engage in security or intelligence exchanges with other like-minded partners, Australia included, so Taiwan is better prepared to deal with the war situation.” And so far, our relations with Australia [are] very good and that is what we appreciate,” Wu added.

Below is a 2-minute video clip from the interview.

Here is the full video of the interview.

Here is another video.