A battle between Taiwan and China would inflict heavy losses and be "disastrous" for either side, Taiwan's high protection official mentioned on Thursday, two weeks right into a Russia-Ukraine battle that has gripped not solely Europe, however Asia, too.

At a parliamentary listening to in Taipei, Taiwanese Protection Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng mentioned Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine had tipped the strategic stability in Europe and affected developments within the Indo-Pacific, in addition to safety throughout the Taiwan Strait. China would proceed to assist Russia diplomatically and economically, he mentioned, however it had made no irregular troop deployments close to Taiwan.

Forward of the session, Chiu informed reporters that a cross-strait battle would at finest result in a Pyrrhic victory for one facet. "No person desires a battle. Going to battle requires some forethought."

"Will it's disastrous? A battle would frankly be disastrous for everybody," he mentioned. "In the long run, it is normally a painful victory, even for the profitable facet."

There are few worthwhile comparisons between Ukraine and Taiwan, however Chiu mentioned Beijing, like Moscow, would rely on a fast and decisive victory in any cross-Strait battle, the kind of victory which Russian forces have failed to attain in Ukraine regardless of their overwhelming numerical benefit. U.S. officers mentioned Putin had deliberate to take Kyiv in two days.

Chiu informed lawmakers: "The target of any Chinese language invasion could be to occupy Taiwan. They're already able to taking [Taiwan's] Kinmen and different outlying islands, so why have not they achieved it?

"As a result of they should be assured that they'll do it in a single try. If not, they will find yourself in the identical scenario Russia faces in Ukraine. That is giving them pause."

Taiwan Says China War 'Disastrous' For All
A Taiwanese soldier throws a smoke bomb throughout a army demonstration at a military base in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, on January 6, 2022. At a parliamentary listening to in Taipei, on March 10, 2022, Taiwan's Protection Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng mentioned a battle throughout the Taiwan Strait could be "disastrous" for either side.SAM YEH/AFP through Getty Photographs

China's army doctrine shall be calling for a swift army marketing campaign to grab Taiwan, earlier than the island's defenses can collect themselves, he steered.

"The sequence [of the invasion] will not change—guided missiles, precision strikes, crippling infrastructure—that will not change, however it'll be quicker," Chiu mentioned. "They usually'll do it concurrently."

"Once they strike outlying islands, they will additionally hit [Taiwan's] most important island. Their naval and air forces will doubtless already be on the transfer through the missile barrage," he mentioned.

Taiwan's protection planning would not think about the potential of overseas army help, though Chiu has maintained that Taiwan would welcome any outdoors assist. Taiwan, which has few formal diplomatic relations, just isn't assured assist from NATO, the European Union or members of the United Nations. Nonetheless, the USA, as its closest safety companion, could be doubtless to offer some type of army help.

Additionally reporting in parliament on Thursday, Taiwan's Overseas Minister Joseph Wu mentioned China would "pay a heavy value" if it miscalculated and took army motion in opposition to Taiwan.