TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan envoy to the U.K. Vincent Yao (姚金祥) warned that if Russia defeats Ukraine, China may follow suit and invade Taiwan.

In an interview with Times Radio host Kate McCann aired on Sunday (Nov. 3), Yao said China may also apply the methods used by Russia in Ukraine to invade Taiwan. 

Yao said there is no denying China’s military capabilities are growing, its modernization efforts are accelerating, and it is preparing for a possible Taiwan conflict. However, he said this does not necessarily mean a Chinese invasion is imminent.

Yao stressed Taiwan is also bolstering its defenses. He said the international community, especially like-minded countries including the U.K., are committed to deterring aggression and Taiwan hopes these deterrence efforts will be effective.

Yao observed that European leaders have mainly been focused on the Ukraine war as opposed to the Indo-Pacific. Yao said Beijing has been helping Russia with war and has continued to prop up the Russian economy, which has raised alarms in European countries. 

McCann said former U.K. Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said in an editorial in The Times on Oct. 27 that if Russia is allowed to emerge victorious in Ukraine, Taiwan is next. Yao thanked Shapps for raising the issue and said that many countries are concerned that if Russia seizes Ukraine, “China will be emboldened because this is proof that the international community would not be able to help Ukraine to fight against Russia's invasion.” 

Yao added that this would also “embolden China to use the same tactics to annex Taiwan.” He said Shapps is among many experts coming to a similar conclusion about the repercussions for Taiwan if Ukraine falls to Russia.