Taiwan is strengthening its self-defense capabilities and economic resilience to deter Chinese aggression and prevent war, said Deputy Foreign Minister François Wu (吳志中) in an interview with French broadcaster France 2.

Wu’s France 2 interview and report, which aired Monday, includes Taiwan’s response to China’s military threat and its efforts to strengthen societal resilience.

China sent military aircraft into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone more than 5,000 times in 2025, Wu said. He added that Taiwan must demonstrate to the world that it is adequately prepared to defend itself.

Wu clarified that Taiwan’s goal is not to seek a war with China, but rather to effectively deter aggression through strengthening self-defense capabilities.

Wu said, “Once war breaks out, it is already too late; everything we do is to prevent war from happening.”

The deputy foreign minister said Taiwan’s increased investment in defense demonstrates its determination to defend itself and sends a message to Beijing that military action against Taiwan would come at an unacceptable cost.

Wu also claims that a disruption to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait would greatly impact the international community, specifically on Japanese, South Korean, Southeast Asian, and wider global economies.

Taiwan has never been part of the People’s Republic of China, Wu said, arguing that Beijing’s ambitions toward Taiwan should be described as a “conquest” rather than a “reunification.”