Countries should warn China against military action on Taiwan, says US

A senior US diplomat said all countries should warn China against taking any military action on the democratically governed Taiwan. The diplomat added that the US hopes Beijing does not use any upcoming visits by US lawmakers to the island as an excuse to start a military conflict with the island.

Deputy US secretary of state Wendy Sherman said on Thursday on all countries to warn China against taking any military action on Taiwan. In an event hosted by the Brookings Institution think tank, Sherman said Washington was committed to supporting Taiwan and its ability to defend itself under the country’s one-China policy.

“And we hope that the PRC does not use a visit by a member of Congress to Taiwan as a pretext for military action,” said Sherman, referring to the initials of China’s formal name, the People’s Republic of China.

Sherman cited Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a situation China should learn from against any attempts in the Taiwan Strait, adding that the ongoing war has increased food and energy insecurity in the world.

“The same could be true of a conflict in the Taiwan Strait,” said Sherman. “And so I urge all countries to tell the PRC this affects me. This affects my people, my country. This is not a good idea.”

Sherman also touched on Washington’s growing concerns over Beijing’s “no limits” relationship with Moscow and its support for Russia in its invasion of Ukraine even as it looks to increase its global standing by saying it was willing to mediate the conflict. Sherman said China cannot have it both ways.

Meanwhile, the Financial Times reported on Friday that the Pentagon’s top China official has arrived in Taiwan. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Michael Chase arrived on the island for a visit. Chase would be the most senior US defense official to pay a visit to the island that China claims as its territory.

Ahead of the news of Chase’s arrival, Taiwanese defense minister Chiu Kuo-cheng told reporters he was “not very certain” about the report that the trip would take place. When pressed if Chase was coming, Chiu said “those who are friendly to us” are welcome to visit.