Wellington Koo, Taiwan's Defense Minister, has confirmed that the island's national security team is closely monitoring the recent detonation of thousands of pagers targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon. This incident has drawn attention due to a Taiwanese firm's alleged connection to the pagers' production.
Gold Apollo, a Taiwan-based company, has refuted claims of manufacturing the devices used in the attack. The firm stated that the pagers were produced by a Budapest-based company licensed to use its brand.
Koo addressed reporters in Taipei, stating, "After the news emerged, my understanding is that the relevant national security bodies are currently giving this matter significant attention." He refrained from providing further details.
The pager detonations resulted in nine fatalities and have been linked to ongoing tensions between Hezbollah and Israel. This incident is part of the cross-border conflict that has persisted since the Gaza war began in October 2023, following a Hamas attack on Israel.
While Taiwan and Israel lack formal diplomatic ties, they maintain de facto embassies and close unofficial relations. Taiwan promptly condemned the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and expressed strong support for the country.
When questioned about potential intelligence exchanges or prior notification from Israel regarding the explosions, Koo clarified that Taiwan does not have such a relationship with Israel.
Ministry spokesperson Sun Li-fang reiterated Gold Apollo's statement, emphasizing that the company did not manufacture the pagers in question. He also highlighted Taiwan's stance on international cooperation, stating, "We seek cooperation that contributes to stability in the Taiwan Strait, not the kind involving potential provocative actions outside the region."
This incident underscores the complex geopolitical landscape Taiwan navigates, balancing its unofficial ties with Israel while maintaining a focus on regional stability. As a democratic nation in East Asia, Taiwan continues to prioritize its security interests and diplomatic relationships in an ever-changing global context.
"After the news came out, my understanding is that at present the relevant national security bodies are paying great attention to this."
The situation remains fluid, and Taiwan's national security team will likely continue to monitor developments closely as they unfold in the coming days and weeks.