Former NATO boss urges countries to show China consequences if it attacks Taiwan

Record ID: 1705382

  • Title: Former NATO boss urges countries to show China consequences if it attacks Taiwan
  • Date: 5th January 2023
  • Summary: TAIPEI, TAIWAN (JANUARY 5, 2023) (REUTERS) ***WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** FORMER NATO CHIEF, ANDERS FOGH RASMUSSEN, AND TAIWAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER, TSAI MING-YEN, SEATED AT NEWS CONFERENCE RASMUSSEN AND TSAI ORGANISING NOTES RASMUSSEN WALKING TOWARDS SPEAKER PODIUM MEDIA FILMING (SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER NATO CHIEF, ANDERS FOGH RASMUSSEN, SAYING: “The free world has shown impressive unity in response to the war in Ukraine, both in terms of weapons supplies, but also economic sanctions. Putin did not expect this and we can be sure Xi Jinping is watching closely.” JOURNALISTS SEATED PHOTOGRAPHERS TAKING PICTURES (SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER NATO CHIEF, ANDERS FOGH RASMUSSEN, SAYING: “Any attempt by China to change the status quo in Taiwan by force should spark an equally unified response and we must make this clear to China now.” NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER NATO CHIEF, ANDERS FOGH RASMUSSEN, SAYING: “All those who believe in a democratic Taiwan and a rules based international order must work to ensure Ukraine prevails. It is for the people of Ukraine and the people of Taiwan to decide on their own futures. The free world must give them our support.” PHOTOGRAPHERS SEATED NEWS CONFERENCE ENDING
  • Embargoed: 19th January 2023 07:44
  • Keywords: Anders Fogh Rasmussen China Europe NATO Russia Taiwan Taiwan Strait Tsai Ing Wen Ukraine conflict
  • Location: TAIPEI, TAIWAN
  • City: TAIPEI, TAIWAN
  • Country: Taiwan
  • Topics: Asia / Pacific,Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA001049805012023RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Democratic countries should make it clear the "severe economic consequences" China would face should it move against self-governed Taiwan, the former NATO secretary-general said during a visit to the island on Thursday (January 5).
    Anders Fogh Rasmussen drew a parallel between Russia's invasion of Ukraine and China's military aggression towards Taiwan, saying democratic countries must work in unity to ensure an Ukraine victory in order to deter a Chinese attack on Taiwan.
    China, which claims Taiwan as its own despite strong objections of the democratic island, has been ramping up pressure on Taiwan to assert its sovereignty claims, including almost daily Chinese air force missions near the island over the past three years.
    China reserves the right to use force to bring Taiwan under its control if necessary. Taiwan says only its people can decide their own future and that Beijing's claims are void as the People's Republic of China has never governed the island.
    (Production: Fabian Hamacher)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2023. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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