Chinese blockade of Taiwan would be an act of war, says Taiwan’s defense minister Wellington Koo

TAIWAN: Defense Minister Wellington Koo warned on 23 October that a Chinese blockade of Taiwan would constitute an act of war with severe consequences for global trade. He made this statement while discussing China’s recent military exercises, "Joint Sword-2024B," which simulated blockading Taiwan and targeting key maritime and ground locations. During the drills, China demonstrated its ability to potentially cut off Taiwan’s access to international shipping routes. However, Koo noted that while the exercises mapped out areas for military operations, China did not impose formal no-fly or no-sail zones. According to a report from the Central News Agency (CNA), Koo emphasised that the lack of these restrictions differentiated the drills from a true blockade, which would have a more profound impact on international law and global trade. “If you want to carry out a so-called blockade, which according to international law is to prohibit all aircraft and ships from entering the area, then according to United Nations resolutions, it is regarded as a form of war,” Koo said. He further explained that military drills and blockades are distinct actions, with the latter carrying heavier repercussions for the international community. Koo also highlighted the potential global economic fallout from any such Chinese actions, noting that the Taiwan Strait is one of the world’s most crucial waterways. Approximately one-fifth of the world’s global freight, valued at an estimated US$2.45 trillion, passes through this strait annually. Koo asserted that any disruption of this traffic would likely prompt significant international response. “The international community could not sit by and just watch,” he stated. China’s military exercises come amid rising tensions between Beijing and Taipei. The Legislative Yuan’s Foreign and National Defense Committee discussed various ways China could implement a blockade of Taiwan, including unconventional "grey zone" tactics that fall short of outright war, as well as the "python strategy," a concept involving the gradual constriction of Taiwan’s access to resources and international support. The Taiwanese government has taken steps to prepare for such contingencies. On Tuesday, Taiwan’s agriculture ministry presented a wartime food security plan to the Legislative Yuan, ensuring that essential food stocks would be available in case of an extended blockade. The plan, reviewed by Reuters, outlines how rice stockpiles, in particular, would last more than three months, while supplies are distributed strategically across the island to mitigate risks of disruption from potential attacks. Koo further addressed the wider national security considerations Taiwan faces in response to the threat of a blockade. He stated that the government is focused on safeguarding the supply chains necessary for maintaining infrastructure, energy independence, and the delivery of essential services, including food security and medical supplies. He added that cyber attacks on Taiwan’s government institutions occur regularly, stressing the need to bolster the country's information security defences in the face of constant digital threats. China has yet to officially comment on Koo’s remarks, but these developments reflect the broader context of deteriorating relations across the Taiwan Strait. Beijing views Taiwan as a breakaway province and has repeatedly asserted its right to use force to bring the island under its control if necessary. Taiwan, for its part, insists on its sovereignty and is receiving increased support from countries such as the United States in the form of arms sales and diplomatic engagements, though most nations still adhere to the "One China" policy. https://www.twitter.com/MOFA_Taiwan/status/1848723118828978215 The global implications of a Chinese blockade of Taiwan could be vast. Beyond disrupting international shipping lanes, such a move could spark broader geopolitical tensions, particularly with countries dependent on Taiwanese semiconductor exports. This critical sector, which includes chips used in smartphones, automobiles, and numerous other technologies, is vital to the global economy. Any extended blockade could drastically affect supply chains worldwide, potentially causing economic slowdowns and technological shortages. As tensions between China and Taiwan continue to mount, the possibility of a military confrontation or blockade remains a critical issue for both regional stability and international economic interests.