Communication and deterrence key to Ko’s China policyStaff writer, with CNATaiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) yesterday said he would make “deterrence and communication” the foundation of his China policy to avoid staking Taiwan’s future on “goodwill” alone. Speaking at a luncheon hosted by the European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan, the former Taipei mayor pledged to increase defense spending to deter a potential Chinese invasion while engaging in dialogue with Beijing. “The keyword for cross-strait relations is ‘step-by-step,’” said Ko, who is second behind Vice President William Lai (賴清德), the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) presidential candidate, in most polls. Ko told European company representatives that he knew foreign investors in the country were most concerned about Taiwan’s energy supply. The chamber of commerce represents 1,050 members from more than 450 European companies with operations in Taiwan.

Source: Taipei Times September 04, 2023 16:52 UTC