28 美國前國防部長埃斯珀（Mark Esper）2022年7月18日起率團訪問臺灣，他向我方提出那些建議？
(A)臺灣應該與中國大陸進行政治談判，降低兩岸敵意
(B)臺灣應該加強非傳統安全，以對抗中國大陸的入侵
(C)臺灣應該提升國防預算，增加不對稱戰力
(D)臺灣應該發展「有限核武」，以嚇阻中國大陸的威脅

2022年07月19日

大西洋理事會代表團訪臺——美國前國防部長馬克·埃斯珀發表講話

Madam President, thank you for that wonderful introduction and for your kind words. Thank you also for hosting me and the Atlantic Council delegation today to discuss very important issues. As you noted, it's not just a US delegation, but European as well. After all, global challenges require a global response. Personally, for me, it's great to be back in Taipei, and to be joined by the wonderful freedom-loving people of Taiwan.

As secretary of defense, I made it a priority to make sure that the United States military and our allies were well prepared to deal with this era of great power competition that we are now in. Some doubt that such an era exists, but the recent unprovoked and brutal invasion of Ukraine by Russia proves that autocrats continue to exist in this world and present trouble to our democracies. But the greatest challenge facing the democracies of the West today is not in Russia. It is here in Asia, where China continues to challenge the rules-based international order that threatens freedom-loving peoples throughout the region. Taiwan is on the frontlines of this epic contest.

The mere existence of a thriving democracy with a robust economy and a freedom-loving people is anathema to everything the Chinese Communist Party believes. That is why that, in this era, it is important that the democracies of the West stand up and defend thriving democracies such as Taiwan against the bullying of your neighbor to the west.

If there's one issue that unites politicians in Washington, DC, it is the view that China is a strategic challenge for our country, and that Taiwan is a good friend that we must support and defend. This was a similar message that I carried while in office to our friends in Europe and in NATO meetings as well. So I was very pleased to see the NATO Strategic Concept come out and address the challenges that face the countries of the West, particularly Europe and United States.

I know that the delegation and I look forward to our meetings today with you and with members of your cabinet to discuss trade matters, diplomatic matters, economic integration, and, of course, security preparedness. It is my personal view that the [US] "one China policy" has outlived its usefulness, [and] that it is time to move away from strategic ambiguity. I think it's important that we begin that national discussion back in the United States. But it will help that discussion and help us educate the American people if we can also point to bold decisions being made in Taipei. Decisions such as a bold increase in defense spending. Decisions such as an adoption of asymmetric warfare and corresponding capabilities. Decisions such as lengthening conscription and making it more rigorous. And decisions such as improving reserve mobilization. It is important that the American people and our leaders in Washington fully see that the Taiwan people are fully committed to standing up to communist China and defending themselves, as we, the democracies of the world, stand behind Taiwan.

With that, Madam President, I want to thank you once again for meeting with us today. I want to thank you for your courageous leadership. And I look forward to our discussions this week. Thank you.

The Atlantic Council delegation included Ambassador Stefano Stefanini, former diplomatic adviser to President Giorgio Napolitano of Italy, and Atlantic Council Senior Vice President Barry Pavel.