'Xi Jinping has been emboldened,' says Taiwan ambassador

As China ramps up its military activity near Taiwan, the island's top official in the U.S. warns that Beijing has been emboldened and that its people are ready to fight.

With tensions between China and Taiwan rising, Taiwan's top official in the U.S. has issued a warning, stating that China has ramped up its aggression toward the island. Ambassador Alexander Yui also asserted that the people of Taiwan are prepared to defend their country.

"Yes, of course," Yui told Fox News when asked whether the island's residents were willing to meet the moment if China were to invade. "We've seen Ukraine."

'Xi Jinping has been emboldened,' says Taiwan ambassador

Taiwan has been closely monitoring the conflict in Eastern Europe as Kyiv's forces have fought a Russian invasion for more than two years. President Xi Jinping has escalated military activity in the Taiwan Strait over the last few years.

Yui expressed hope that Taiwan would not need assistance from U.S. troops, which Ukraine also does not have, but suggested they would be gratefully accepted if offered. "If your house is under fire, and they respond to help you with a bucket of water, would you say no?" Yui asked.

'Xi Jinping has been emboldened,' says Taiwan ambassador

The diplomat attributed Xi's escalated regional tensions to his pursuit of his "China dream," stating that it was not contingent on the U.S. administration but rather on Xi's worldview.

Taiwan's defense ministry has recently tracked Chinese military aircraft and naval ships near the island. Earlier this week, four of eight planes crossed the median line dividing China and Taiwan's territory in the Taiwan Strait, which Beijing does not recognize.

'Xi Jinping has been emboldened,' says Taiwan ambassador

A week prior, 43 Chinese military aircraft were detected in a 24-hour period, with 34 crossing the median line. The next day, 41 more planes were detected.

Xi is believed to be preparing China for an invasion of Taiwan by 2027, meaning the U.S. response will fall to whoever wins the presidency in November.

'Xi Jinping has been emboldened,' says Taiwan ambassador

Yui emphasized that Taiwan is a "peace-loving nation" that believes in democracy and freedom. He expressed a desire for Taiwan to be incorporated into the world, having been isolated for decades due to the conflict with mainland China.

"We share the same values," Yui said. "We want to be part of the world."