The US is building a network of allies to counter China's threat, a top spokesman in Taiwan told Reuters
By Yimou Lee and Fabian Hamacher
TAIPEI (Reuters) – The United States is building an alliance network in the Indo-Pacific to counter China's threats there, a top diplomat in Taiwan said on Wednesday, adding that the island was not Beijing's only target in its bid to change the situation. .
The United States is Taiwan's most important supporter and arms supplier, despite its lack of official relations with the island, and Raymond Greene, the newly appointed director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and the US de facto ambassador, was speaking to reporters in the United States. Taipei.
“The United States is building a network of alliances in the Indo-Pacific to improve our deterrence capabilities,” Greene said, adding that Taiwan was not the only target of China's efforts to “use intimidation and coercion to change the situation” and that as a result many countries came together to preserve the international order based on in the rules.
He said those efforts, along with Taiwan's investment in defense and “impressive” military reforms, were designed to prevent war rather than prepare for one.
“Maintaining the strategic balance of the Taiwan Strait and the wider Indo-Pacific region will promote peaceful dialogue to resolve disputes between the two sides,” said Greene, who delivered his remarks in Mandarin.
China has stepped up military and political pressure to force democratic Taiwan to accept its sovereignty claims in recent years, and in May staged war games around the island following the installation of President Lai Ching-te, a man Beijing calls a “separatist”.
COMBINED PRODUCTION OF WEAPONS?
Greene also said that the United States will not prevent the possibility of producing weapons in cooperation with Taiwan, adding that the island's defense needs are the most important for the delivery of US weapons.
“The US is now working with many partners looking at opportunities to increase our joint production of military equipment, and I would not rule out Taiwan as one of those partners in the future,” Greene said, without giving details.
China has never ruled out using force to bring the island under its control, and Taiwan's government has vowed to defend itself, rejecting China's sovereignty claims.
Greene assumed his role in July. He was previously deputy chief of mission at the US embassy in Tokyo.
He said the United States is also working with Taiwan to increase its response to emergencies, another priority for the Lai government, including strengthening the island's resilience in communications, cyber security and energy supply.
“We look forward to helping Taiwan use its expertise in dealing with (problems ranging from) natural disasters to countering man-made threats.”
