In the context of the growing threat from the Chinese regime, the United States is redoubling its efforts to support Taiwan. In this context, Washington highlighted in recent days the importance of Taipei’s integration into international organizations.
That message was sent by Washington in the middle of the meetings that held the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) with members of the US State Department and the Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taipei.
“These conversations focused on boost Taiwan’s participation in the United Nations system and other global forums relevant,” reported the North American State Department in a statement published this Saturday.
During the consultations, the representatives highlighted that Taiwan’s experience contributes significantly to solving global challenges such as public health, food safety, aviation safety and climate change. So, Taiwan has shown both capacity and willingness to collaborate on international problems and support the global community, the United States highlighted.
For their part, the US delegates reiterated the country’s commitment to significant inclusion of Taiwan in organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The rapprochement between Taiwan and international entities seeks to ensure that the country has voice and vote in crucial debates for the global scope.
This week, the outgoing director of the American Institute in Taiwan, Sandra Oudkirk, has issued a warning to China about aggressive moves in the region that could trigger a broader conflict. The official made this statement at a farewell press conference on June 14.
“The United States has constantly urged the People’s Republic of China to avoid coercive or provocative measures both in the Taiwan Strait and in other areas such as the South China Sea and off Japan, because provocative actions are almost by definition dangerous,” he said. And he added: “They risk a miscalculation or an accident that could trigger a broader conflict”.
During Oudkirk’s three years at the head of the AIT, China carried out three military exercises around the island, generating a level of tension unprecedented in the history of the AIT, which acts as Washington’s de facto embassy in Taiwan. China considers self-governing Taiwan a breakaway province that must be reunified with the mainland, using force if necessary.
The official reiterated US support for Taiwan’s defense capabilities against Chinese aggression, stating that strengthening Taiwan’s ability to defend itself was the AIT’s “top priority.” “We are waiting for the delivery of military capabilities” of US arms sales to Taiwan, which, although purchased several years ago for a value close to $20 billion, have faced delivery delays. The official blamed the COVID-19 pandemic for affecting supply chains, but mentioned that delays are being resolved gradually and that one must “watch this space.”
For their part, the authorities of Taiwan They reported this Saturday that they detected the presence of 41 fighters and seven ships of the Chinese Armed Forces in the vicinity of the island in the context of increased tension between both parties.
He Ministry of Defence Taiwanese indicated that at 6:00 local time the presence of seven ships and 41 aircraft around Taiwan and highlighted that 32 of them crossed the middle line of the strait and entered, from the north, southwest and east, into the island’s air defense identification zone.
As reported by the island authorities through the social network Armed forces of the country monitored the events and “They responded accordingly.”.
This new aggression by China occurred a day after a fleet of more than 30 of its aircraft flew over the surroundings of Taiwan after the US Government approved the sale of a system of drones and loitering missiles to the island.
The president of Taiwan, William Lai, has said that his country will remain firm in the face of pressure from Xi Jinping’s regime. “In addition to military force, (China) has increasingly employed non-traditional methods of coercion to try to subdue Taiwan”Lai declared during a press conference marking his first month in office.
“However, Taiwan will not bow to pressure. The people of Taiwan will resolutely defend their national sovereignty and maintain their democratic and free way of life,” he added.
China has intensified military and political pressure on the Taipei government in recent years, including military exercises around the island three days into Lai’s government.
