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Full Transcript: Taiwan Representative Bikim Hsiao on "Face the Nation"

Taiwan representative on rising tensions with China

Below is the full transcript of the interview with the Taiwanese representative on "Face the Nation" which aired on Sunday, August 7, 2022.

Margaret Brennan: Mr. Xiao, thank you for coming here to talk to us today. It's been an intense week. Speaker of the House Pelosi is the highest-ranking U.S. public official to visit Taiwan in nearly 25 years. Why is Beijing outraged?

BI-KHIM HSIAO: Well, there's no reason for them to be so furious. We have welcomed congressional delegations to Taiwan for decades. And this has become the norm in our culture. Taiwanese people are warm and hospitable. we are visiting friends This is part of our tradition. In fact, one of the most quoted Confucian analects in Taiwan is, "Isn't it a pleasure to welcome a friend from afar?" , has been codified into a strong foundation in Taiwan. Relations law, there's really no reason for them to be so upset.

Brennan: Well, America was worried about this trip. President Biden said the military was not keen on Pelosi's visit. She was outspoken about the danger of her plane being shot down. Has Taiwan ever had the level of concern that there is a risk here?

HSIAO: Well, we have been threatened by China for decades. And their continued threat cannot define our desire to make friends internationally. If a child is being bullied at school, I wouldn't tell them not to go to school. You try to find ways to deal with bullies. And that is exactly what Taiwan is doing, working to make our society stronger and more resilient, strengthening its defenses so that it has the means to manage risk. increase. The risks are not posed by Taiwan, nor are they posed by the United States. The risks are posed by Beijing.

Brennan: Specifically the risk. All-out invasion?

HSIAO: Well, China has not renounced the use of force. We call on them to join the dialogue for a peaceful revolution, but they are increasing their threat to Taiwan. This involves a hybrid toolkit of public disinformation, cyberattacks, and economic coercion, not just on a military level. They have an extensive toolkit that we are becoming more and more accustomed to. But again, that doesn't change our resolve to defend our freedom.

Brennan: What is happening is unprecedented. Beijing has sent her 68 fighters and her 13 warships to your coast. China surrounded Taiwan with these missiles it launched, but they landed in the middle of the ocean. Do you think this is just training?

HSIAO: Indeed, China's action is unprecedented, and by its scope and actions, China was prepared for it long before Chairman Pelosi decided to visit Taiwan. It seems that In our view, my President has called on the Chinese government to exercise restraint. We intend to resolve political differences through dialogue. And that's the only way to maintain regional stability. And  is the only way to protect the interests of not only Taiwan, but China, and the whole world.

Brennan: Is this an invasion trial?

HSIAO: Well, I'm not going to talk about China's intentions, but I'm going to talk about what we're ready to do. In other words, don't escalate. we do not provoke. We are committed to maintaining the status quo. We also urge China to act with restraint in the common interest of regional stability, which has worked for all stakeholders in the region 

It can cut you off from the world. What is the cost to do something like that.

HSIAO: China has rapidly increased its military power in recent years. And what they are doing through these exercises could jeopardize some of the most important air and sea commercial routes. And that, of course, I believe, will not only jeopardize Taiwan's security in regional stability, but also China's interest in a stable environment in which trade and commerce can function. And, of course, there will be implications for the world. Such dangerous and dangerous behavior affects the world.

Brennan: Do you think President Biden will militarily protect Taiwan from invasion?

HSIAO: We have a very strong security partnership with the United States. Since 1979, the Taiwan Relations Act has provided a strong foundation for this –

Brennan: For Self Defense –

HSIAO: Yes

Brennan: And sold in the USA

HSIAO: We believe that we must make the decision to protect ourselves so that other nations are willing to help us.

Brennan: Any assurances from the Biden White House that they will defend you? Instead of selling arms like the presidents of the last 40 years, they actually come to the defense.

HSIAO: Our security partnership is based on the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances, and contingencies and circumstances are hypothetical, but what I can say is that we We have a very strong security partnership to protect our common interests in regional peace and stability.

Brennan: Taiwan's defense minister said last year that China would have the ability to launch an invasion by her 2025.

HSIAO: Well, the way we see threats has two parts to him: ability and intent. It works on intention by conveying reason and rationality. It also addresses capabilities by increasing deterrence. And that is why Taiwan is also investing in asymmetric defense capabilities. We will not, and cannot, enter into an arms race with China. But we're going to be smart about our abilities and be asymmetrical. And ultimately, working with other stakeholders in the region to prevent an actual invasion. 

Brennan: Do you believe the timeline for the  invasion is advancing? Criticism of Pelosi's visit is that she is provoking China.

HSIAO: Well, I think she only has one place in the word provocation. That is now the case in China. They are the ones who are causing the destabilization of the region. And what we are trying to do is ensure that the people of Taiwan continue to live in an environment where we can freely decide our future. Again, being warm and welcoming to friends from afar is part of our cultural tradition.

Brennan: So you don't think this was a mistake or that this visit backfired?

HSIAO: Well, this visit is welcomed by the people of Taiwan. For other countries far away, it can be difficult to fully understand the feelings and perspectives of Taiwanese people. A modern, open and prosperous democracy. So when a friend comes from far away and wants to provide assistance to Taiwan, we usually express our gratitude.

Brennan: Many Republican officials have also been visiting Taiwan recently, and former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper just came to Taipei. He said your government needs greater urgency to make your democracy flourish. He said US aid was not enough to deter China in the long run. What do you need for that?

HSIAO: Well, we're working on multiple fronts. In terms of increasing defenses, including asymmetric capabilities –

Brennan: Is it cyber?

HSIAO: There are multiple areas such as weapons and systems, domestic defense industry, and foreign military sales projects with the United States. We are also working quickly to reform our reserve forces, find ways to better integrate civilian resources into homeland defense, and strengthen our cyber defenses. We are also criticizing our society for political psychological warfare and other political levels of China's coercive attempts to undermine our resolve to defend ourselves and our democracy. On the other hand, we are making it more resilient.

Brennan: The Pentagon says it is a national security imperative for the United States to move away from its dependence on Taiwan, particularly on its own manufactured computer chips. 90% of high-end advanced products rely on customer chips, especially the US defense sector is highly dependent on Taiwan. Are you concerned that as the United States withdraws, it will be unwilling to defend you?

HSIAO: The reason Taiwan supplies her more than 90% of advanced semiconductor chips is in creating a comprehensive ecosystem that supports the effective and efficient production of these chips. Because you've spent decades on it. It can be easily replicated anywhere in the world. Taiwanese companies are expanding their cooperation.they haven't moved. Rather, it is expanding its presence in other parts of the world, including the United States. The CHIPS Act will help facilitate and facilitate that in terms of expanding production and manufacturing here in the United States. But Taiwan maintains our dominance, and just as the United States and other nations find themselves dependent on Taiwan's advanced chips, so does China with the same dependency. I think that there. Taiwan, whether it's economic or technological or whether it's to be at the forefront, to defend core values ​​that are so important to so many countries around the world: freedom and democracy. Maintaining social relevance is paramount.

Brennan: President Biden is about to sign a bill that will put $52 billion of taxpayer dollars into semiconductors in an attempt to shield America from the risk of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. The US plans for this to happen. Is it unavoidable?

HSIAO: Well, the demand for chips will increase. Demand will increase in the automotive industry and other technology industries.

Brennan: So this is not to be seen as a sign that the United States is becoming less credible and therefore less credible.

HSIAO: During his COVID-19 period, I have witnessed the disruptions in his chain of supply and the pain in some industries when such disruptions occur. I think it's smart that democracies are addressing supply chain security issues. And Taiwan, along with other credible democracies, will be a trusted partner in addressing these supply chain challenges.

Brennan: If you talk to senior Biden administration officials, they will tell you that Chinese President Xi Jinping is taking notes. He sees what Vladimir Putin is currently doing in Ukraine as a test case to see what Taiwan can do. What do you think is the lesson he is learning now?

HSIAO: Again, I cannot speak to his psychology or personal analysis at this time. But I think all of us have learned lessons, and so have the people of Taiwan. And we are learning that we must be better prepared. We must become stronger in self-defense. We must work hard to revitalize international support to prevent that tragic scenario from ever happening.

Brennan: Are you concerned that the West will not support Taiwan the way it has supported Ukraine? China is economically very strong. It will be difficult for the West to cut it off.

HSIAO: I think that was one of the messages Speaker of the House Pelosi was trying to convey. So, despite all the challenges, we have friends in the international community who stand with us.

Brennan: And finally, China also showed diplomatic power. Because of the visit, it says it has terminated many agreements with the United States, including cooperation on climate change. Are you afraid that with China pulling out of it, the West will look at this and say it's not worth it, not just for climate change, but for other priorities that trump Taiwan?

HSIAO: Right. Yes, we are concerned about disrupting these very important discussions on global issues that concern not only the United States but China and everyone around the world. But in fact, visits to Taiwan, visits to Congress have been going on for decades. And for decades, it has not prevented the United States and China from engaging in constructive discussions on issues of mutual interest. I agree with some of the statements and analyzes of the US White House and others. The Beijing government is now trying to fabricate a crisis over a decades-old practice. And they are using this as an excuse. And I think we need to clarify that. If China is to evolve as a responsible stakeholder in the international community, we must ask whether it is a revival, whether China's revival evolves with international respect or accompanies international condemnation. It's really up to Beijing to decide.

Brennan: President, thank you for your time today. 

HSIAO: Thank you.

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