The Chinese People’s Liberation Army began military exercises around Taiwan on Thursday. These will last until at least Sunday and take place in six regions around the island. Pelosi had barely left on Wednesday when 27 Chinese fighter jets flew towards the island. According to Taipei, 22 of these aircraft have flown into Taiwan’s air defense zone.
Heusdens calls it predictable that the Chinese army is holding military exercises around Taiwan. He does not hope that the Chinese provocations will escalate. “The whole world depends on Taiwanese technology. If something happens, it will turn the world even more upside down than Russia’s attack on Ukraine,” said Heusdens.
According to Heusdens, Pelosi’s visit earlier this week is the talk of the town in Taipei. “It is very alive. The young generation is happy that the US is showing such open support. Negative reactions come from older people,” he says.
Earthquake
In addition to military displays of force, China has also responded by blocking imports of citrus fruits and fish products from Taiwan. Heusdens works in the development and production of electronics and has not noticed the sanctions in this sector. Although the Dutch recognize that this is different for food exports. “Those companies are having a hard time. But yes, if you as a Taiwanese company are still dependent on China, you should look at your company. It is so predictable that you become a plaything for Chinese blockades”, says Heusdens.
Countryman Maarten van Dam agrees with him. “We are used to the threats to Taiwan.” Van Dam is the chairman of the Belgian-Dutch organization VNT Taiwan and, according to him, members have good contact with the authorities in Brussels and The Hague. “We have satellite telephones so that if something happens we can reach the outside world. We are well prepared,” says Van Dam.
Van Dam compares preparations for an invasion from Beijing on Taiwan to an earthquake: “If there is a major earthquake, you have to hope that it is not too heavy. You can’t do more than prepare for it.”
Both Dutch people understand that the American top politician has made a lightning visit to Taiwan. “When Pelosi announced that, she couldn’t go back,” said Heusdens. “As a Taiwanese, it would make me less happy if no one told China: stop with those territorial claims,” adds Van Dam.