The Chinese Navy’s aircraft carrier Liaoning takes part in a naval parade in Qingdao waters to mark the 70th anniversary of the Navy’s founding, April 23, 2019.
The U.S. State Department on Wednesday (April 7) expressed “great concern” about China’s pattern of intimidation in the Asia-Pacific region against its immediate neighbors, including Taiwan, and said it will continue to work with allies and partners to ensure prosperity, security and values in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. On the same day, 15 Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan’s southwest air defense identification zone. The U.S. military warned that China may be accelerating its timetable for seizing control of Taiwan.
Asked at a regular press conference Wednesday about China’s military harassment of Taiwan, State Department spokesman Condoleezza Price expressed concern about Beijing’s intimidation and reiterated the United States’ “rock-solid” commitment to Taiwan.
He said, “Of course, we note with great concern the continuing pattern of intimidation and attempts by the People’s Republic of China in the region, including with respect to Taiwan. Again, it is important to note that in support of longstanding U.S. policy, as reflected in the Taiwan Relations Act, the United States maintains the ability to resist any resort to force or other forms of coercion that threaten the security of the people or the social and economic system of Taiwan.”
The spokesperson said the United States will “continue to work with our allies and partners to support our shared prosperity, security, and our values in the Indo-Pacific region, which includes peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.”
China has stepped up its military activities against Taiwan in recent months, with Chinese military aircraft entering Taiwan’s air identification zone on an almost daily basis. On Wednesday, 15 sorties of Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan’s southwest air defense identification zone.
The Chinese Communist Party military announced Monday that training by Chinese Navy aircraft carrier formations around Taiwan will become a regular practice.
On Wednesday, the destroyer USS McCain made a “routine” passage through the Taiwan Strait.
Taiwan is widely seen as the most likely trigger for a potentially catastrophic U.S.-China war.
Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Wu Chiu-sup told the media Wednesday that the military threat against Taiwan is increasing. He said Taiwan would fight to the end if attacked by China.
He also said the U.S. believes there is a threat of a Chinese attack on Taiwan.
Admiral Philip Davidson, the current commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific, testified before Congress in March that he believes China could attack Taiwan by force within the next six years.
Adm. John Aquilino, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and President Biden’s nominee to be the next commander of the Indo-Pacific, did not say during a Senate nomination hearing March 23 whether he agreed with the timeline mentioned by Adm. Davidson, but told senators, “My view is that this issue is closer than most people think it is.”
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