Wu Chih-chung: The More Taiwan Integrates into the International Community, the Safer It Becomes; The 1992 Consensus Traps Taiwan in China's Domestic Affairs

Central News Agency Report

(CNA reporter Wu Shu-wei, Taipei, 12th) Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Wu Chih-chung stated today that the more Taiwan integrates into the international relations system, the safer it becomes, because there is a status quo to maintain. However, discussing unification, independence, or the 1992 Consensus pushes Taiwan into China's domestic affairs, turning it into an internal matter that China can freely resolve—posing the greatest danger to Taiwan.

Wu attended the opening ceremony of the Republic of Somaliland's Representative Office in Taiwan in the afternoon. The office relocated from its former Neihu location to the Tianmu diplomatic enclave. After the ceremony, Wu held a joint press briefing.

Regarding Taiwan's diplomatic ties with African ally Eswatini, Wu said the relationship is very stable, expressing strong confidence in the diplomatic bond. He noted that President Lai Qing-de and Foreign Minister Lin Jia-long had both recently visited Eswatini.

On the possibility of resuming diplomatic relations with Honduras, Wu stated that this should be directed to Honduras. He acknowledged Taiwan's efforts to expand diplomatic ties, emphasizing that the more Taiwan is embedded within the international framework, the more it establishes a status quo—making any Chinese threats acts of destabilization.

Wu stressed that the deeper Taiwan integrates with the international community—such as through cooperation with Somaliland and maintaining ties with Eswatini—the more it ensures national security. This includes regional cooperation, with far more international delegations visiting Taiwan than ever before, all vital methods of safeguarding national security and regional stability through diplomacy.

On Honduras' outstanding debt to Taiwan, amounting to over 10 billion New Taiwan dollars, Wu said recovery efforts are ongoing. Even beyond politics, he emphasized, any nation—whether an ally or not—must repay debts related to economic and trade matters.

Responding to media inquiries about 'Swaziland News,' a South Africa-based online media outlet, which previously spread false reports alleging corruption by Taiwan's ambassador to Eswatini, Liang Hong-sheng, and recently claimed Eswatini is considering establishing ties with China, Wu said, 'I strongly suspect China is behind this.'

He explained that Taiwan's deepening cooperation with Eswatini, including in economic areas, is unfavorable to China, as it signifies increasingly solidified ties between Taiwan and its allies. Thus, China may attempt to undermine Taiwan's diplomatic and economic relationships with any country.

Wu reiterated that Taiwan's safety increases with deeper integration into the international system. Conversely, framing Taiwan within China's domestic affairs—such as through debates on unification or independence—makes Taiwan appear as China's internal matter, which is highly dangerous.

He emphasized that a key mission of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to prevent Taiwan from being treated as China's internal affair. Discussing the 1992 Consensus or similar topics pushes Taiwan into that dangerous domain and must be strongly avoided. He urged the public to understand that Taiwan's security lies in its position within the international framework, where the status quo must be preserved. Any attempt to reframe Taiwan as an internal matter that China can freely resolve poses the greatest threat to Taiwan. (Edited by Su Chih-tsung) 1150612