04:52Taiwan: 'We must not make the same mistakes with Xi that we did with Putin' - Ex-NATO chief Rasmussen
Former NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen warned China of the consequences of attempting to change the status quo in Taiwan as he drew parallels with the situation in Ukraine during a visit to Taipei on Thursday.
"We must not make the same mistakes with Xi Jinping that we did with Vladimir Putin," said the ex-NATO chief, in his remarks at Taiwan Ministry of foreign affairs.
"China is far more reliant on global supply chains than Russia. Spelling out the severe economic consequences of any attack now would be a powerful deterrent," he continued.
Rasmussen’s visit to Taiwan including talks with President Tsai-ing wen on Wednesday, in which he called for unity among democracies against 'autocratic' countries.
Beijing has previously rejected any parallels with the Ukraine conflict. It regards Taiwan as part of its territory under the 'One China' principle.
China sanctioned Rasmussen’s own Alliance of Democracies foundation in 2021 claiming it was harmful to the country’s sovereignty and was spreading misinformation - which the former NATO chief rejected.
04:52Mandatory Credit: Taiwan ministry of foreign affairs
Former NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen warned China of the consequences of attempting to change the status quo in Taiwan as he drew parallels with the situation in Ukraine during a visit to Taipei on Thursday.
"We must not make the same mistakes with Xi Jinping that we did with Vladimir Putin," said the ex-NATO chief, in his remarks at Taiwan Ministry of foreign affairs.
"China is far more reliant on global supply chains than Russia. Spelling out the severe economic consequences of any attack now would be a powerful deterrent," he continued.
Rasmussen’s visit to Taiwan including talks with President Tsai-ing wen on Wednesday, in which he called for unity among democracies against 'autocratic' countries.
Beijing has previously rejected any parallels with the Ukraine conflict. It regards Taiwan as part of its territory under the 'One China' principle.
China sanctioned Rasmussen’s own Alliance of Democracies foundation in 2021 claiming it was harmful to the country’s sovereignty and was spreading misinformation - which the former NATO chief rejected.