Taipei: Taiwan’s defense minister emphasized the critical importance of maintaining peace in the Indo-Pacific region, highlighting it as a “core interest” for the United States in light of escalating Chinese military actions toward Taiwan.

According to Focus Taiwan, Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo addressed the media before a legislative hearing, responding to comments made by Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. Paparo had reported a 300 percent increase in aggressive military maneuvers by China toward Taiwan over the past year, underscoring the strategic significance of the region.

During his testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee, Paparo warned of the potential global economic repercussions if the waterway between Taiwan and China were to be closed. He described the scenario as potentially more devastating than the Great Depression, noting its critical role in world trade. Furthermore, Paparo highlighted the U.S.’ reliance on Taiwan for semiconductor production, which is vital for the modernization and growth of the American economy.

Paparo outlined the severe economic consequences of a conflict in the Indo-Pacific, predicting a 25 percent reduction in GDP across Asia and a 10 to 12 percent decrease in the U.S. GDP, alongside significant increases in unemployment and excess deaths. Even with a successful American intervention, the impact would remain severe, he cautioned.

Minister Koo asserted that Paparo’s statements confirm the global dependence on maintaining stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. He emphasized that preserving the status quo in the Taiwan Strait is a widely held international consensus requiring concerted efforts.

Further supporting this stance, Koo referenced a leaked Pentagon memo, which underscored the U.S. commitment to preventing Chinese annexation of Taiwan. The memo, reportedly disclosed during U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s recent Asia tour, instructed prioritization of Taiwan’s defense over support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The memo identified China as the Pentagon’s “sole pacing threat” and emphasized the importance of denying any swift Chinese seizure of Taiwan while safeguarding the U.S. homeland.