By Ben Blanchard
TAIPEI (Reuters) – China’s “provocative” actions around Taiwan, Japan and the South China Sea risk an accident that could unintentionally trigger a wider conflict, Washington’s top diplomat in Taipei said on Wednesday. Friday.
Sandra Oudkirk, outgoing director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and de facto US ambassador, told reporters that the United States was “deeply dedicated” to the status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the broader region.
“And that is why we have consistently urged the PRC to avoid coercive or provocative actions both in the Taiwan Strait and in other areas such as the South China Sea and off Japan,” she said, referring to the People’s Republic of China.
“Because provocative actions are almost by definition dangerous. They risk a miscalculation or an accident that could trigger a wider conflict.”
The United States is Taiwan’s most important international supporter and arms supplier, despite a lack of formal ties with the Chinese-claimed island.
China has stepped up military and political pressure against democratically-ruled Taiwan over the past four years, and last month held war games across the island following the inauguration of President Lai Ching-te, who took office in January, a man which Beijing calls “separatist”.
China views Taiwan as its own territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control. It is also embroiled in an increasingly bitter standoff with the Philippines in the disputed South China Sea.
Beijing has repeatedly warned that Taiwan is the most important and dangerous issue in Sino-US relations. The Taipei government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, saying only the island’s people can decide its future.
Oudkirk, who ends his three-year term next month, said bolstering Taiwan’s defense capability was AIT’s top priority, although he declined to answer a question about how the U.S. and Taiwanese militaries work together. yes.
Taiwan has complained that arms orders it made to the United States have faced delays in deliveries.
“Like the entire industry, US production of weapons and other military equipment has been severely affected during the pandemic by supply chain issues. These are now decreasing,” said Oudkirk.
“We look forward to the delivery of the military capabilities that Taiwan has acquired in recent years and I would just say – continue to watch this space.”
Oudkirk’s successor is Raymond Greene, currently deputy chief of mission at the US embassy in Tokyo and before that deputy head of AIT.
Oudkirk described Greene as “very familiar” with Taiwan.
(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Michael Perry)
