A Chinese language invasion of Taiwan would have “disastrous outcomes” for the world, International Minister Joseph Wu informed AFP in an interview yesterday, citing the island’s strategic significance for the semiconductor business and international transport lanes. Wu’s warning comes as democratically dominated Taiwan heads in direction of a presidential election subsequent yr, whereas dealing with elevated army and political stress from China throughout the Taiwan Strait. Beijing claims Taiwan as its personal territory and has vowed repeatedly to take it sooner or later — militarily, if needed. Wu mentioned any act of drive towards Taiwan would have international reverberations. “What we have to do is to clarify to the worldwide neighborhood that if there’s any battle involving Taiwan, it is going to have disastrous outcomes for the remainder of the world,” Wu mentioned, pointing to the meals and gasoline shortages, and spiralling inflation, that resulted from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The business penalties of a cross-strait battle can be monumental — greater than 50 % of the world’s transport containers cross by the 180-kilometre (110 miles) extensive waterway separating Taiwan from mainland China. Freedom of navigation is due to this fact one of many “essential parts of worldwide safety and prosperity”, Wu mentioned. Wu is a part of the Democratic Progressive Social gathering, perceived as extra pro-United States than the opposition Kuomintang Social gathering.