TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) said on Wednesday (Oct. 23) that a Chinese blockade of Taiwan would be an act of war with serious consequences on global trade.

During its "Joint Sword-2024B” military exercises, China said it practiced blockading key ports and areas and assaulting maritime and ground targets. Koo noted that while the drills mapped out the exercise area, there were no no-fly or no-sail zones, per CNA. 

According to Koo, "If you want to carry out a so-called blockade, which according to international law is to prohibit all aircraft and ships entering the area, then according to United Nations resolutions it is regarded as a form of war.” He added, “I want to stress that drills and exercises are different from a blockade, as would be the impact on the international community.”

Koo emphasized that a Chinese blockade would seriously affect the global economy. He pointed to data showing that one-fifth of global freight passes through the Taiwan Strait, amounting to NT$78.57 trillion (US$2.45 trillion).

"The international community could not sit by and just watch,” Koo said. 

The Legislative Yuan’s Foreign and National Defense Committee on Wednesday discussed methods China could blockade Taiwan, including grey zone tactics and the “python strategy.” 

Furthermore, Taiwan's agriculture ministry submitted a wartime food plan to the Legislative Yuan on Tuesday in case of a Chinese blockade, a copy of which was reviewed by Reuters. The ministry said it ensured rice stockpiles would last over three months and that food supplies were properly stored across the country to "lower attack risks.” 

Koo said the government has considered "what should be done to ensure a safe supply of industry, infrastructure, energy independence, people's livelihood resources, food security, and medical supplies.” He added that cyber attacks on Taiwan occur daily, and the government must improve its information security defense capabilities.