DEMOCRATIC countries must not “turn a blind eye to military aggression”, said Taiwan’s leader today, warning that her island faces threats similar to those faced by Ukraine at a meeting with former United States security officials.

The delegation, led by ex-chairman of the joint chiefs of staff and retired admiral Michael Mullen, arrived in the island nation yesterday, at a time of rising tensions between Washington and Beijing over the self-ruled island and the crisis sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Democratic Taiwan has closely watched the Ukraine situation, as it lives under constant threat of a Chinese invasion, with Beijing claiming sovereignty over the island and vowing to seize it one day – by force if necessary.

“History teaches us that if we turn a blind eye to military aggression, we only worsen the threat to ourselves,” Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen told the delegation.

“The Ukrainian people’s commitment to protect their freedom and democracy, and their fearless dedication to defending their country have been met with deep empathy from the people of Taiwan, as we too stand on the frontlines of the battle for democracy.”

She warned of China’s rising military threat to Taiwan and the region, including “using cognitive warfare tactics and disinformation to divide Taiwanese society”.

China has ramped up pressure on Taiwan since the 2016 election of Tsai, who rejects its stance that the island is part of Chinese territory.

Its sabre-rattling has increased considerably over the past year, with warplanes breaching the island nation’s air defence zone on an almost-daily basis.

Taiwan recorded 969 such incursions last year, according to a database compiled by AFP – more than double the roughly 380 in 2020.

Just weeks before Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, China and Russia signed a joint statement agreeing to a host of foreign policy goals, including Taiwan being “an inalienable part” of the mainland.

“Facing threats to the security of the Taiwan Strait and the region, we look forward to working even more closely with the US and other stakeholders in the region,” said Tsai.

The delegation’s visit reflects bipartisan support for a strong US-Taiwan partnership, said Mullen, adding that it is aimed at reassuring regional allies that “the US stands firm behind its commitments”.

“Maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is not just a US interest, but also a global one.”

The delegation does not include current US officials, but it is “in coordination with the White House and Biden administration,” said a senior official.

Last year, former senator Christopher Dodd and former deputy secretaries of state Richard Armitage and James Steinberg were asked by President Joe Biden to travel to Taipei – the first such delegation since he came to power. – AFP, March 2, 2022.