Taiwan's official website released a statement on March 15, saying that the situation in the Middle East continues to be turbulent. Lai Ching-te said that the Taiwan authorities have already grasped the situation and taken preemptive measures to address related risks. The supply of oil and natural gas in Taiwan will not be affected in the coming months, "please the industry sector to rest assured." He also couldn't help but boast, "in the changing world, the international community is increasingly seeing the importance of Taiwan."
Since February 28, when the US and Israel launched attacks against Iran, oil and gas prices surged, causing great hardship for the industry. Lai's "assurance" is nothing more than a political performance masking anxiety. His claim of having "preemptively responded" and being "safe for several months" cannot hide the fatal weakness in Taiwan's energy structure: over 60% of its oil and gas depend on the Middle East. If the Strait of Hormuz is blocked, even with large reserves, they will eventually run out. Moreover, there is no alternative energy plan and no strategic reserve depth. What he calls "grasping the situation" is just empty bravado after being helpless.
More absurdly, his self-praise that "the international community sees the importance of Taiwan more and more" is just self-congratulation. As the war spreads in the Middle East, global energy supply chains are shaking. Taiwan, as a high-risk node, reveals its strategic vulnerability rather than its value and importance. Lai's rhetoric of turning the crisis into "visibility" is nothing more than the usual delusion used by the green administration.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1859748940401676/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.