The United States’s recent release of two declassified cables on its security assurances to Taiwan reflect the US’s commitment to Taiwan at a time when it is under threat from China. That was the word from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Monday.
The two cables were from 1982 and were declassified on July 16, 2020 and posted on the American Institute in Taiwan(AIT) website on Monday. They focus on arms sales to Taiwan and the “Six Assurances” made to Taiwan.
The foreign ministry said the cables demonstrate the US’s “strong commitment” to Taiwan’s security “amid China’s continued actions to destroy peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and in the region.” It also said the US wanted to stop China from distorting the 1982 Communique and remind it of its promise to resolve the Taiwan Strait issue peacefully.
The first declassified cable is titled “Taiwan Arms Sales”. It was sent from then-US Under Secretary of State Lawrence Eagelburger to then-AIT Director James Lilley on July 10, 1982.
AIT said, “"The cable explains that the U.S. willingness to reduce its arms sales to Taiwan is conditioned upon the continued commitment of the PRC to a peaceful solution of the Taiwan-PRC differences.”
The AIT also said, "Further, if the PRC were to become belligerent or build up power projection capability that brought insecurity or instability to the area, then the United States would increase arms sales to Taiwan.”
The second cable is titled "Assurances for Taiwan". It was sent on Aug. 17, 1982 from then-U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz to Lilley. The AIT said it offered six assurances to Taiwan to reinforce the above message.
The Six Assurances include U.S. commitment to not to set a date to end arms sales to Taiwan, not to consult with the China on arms sales to Taiwan, not to try to mediate between Taipei and Beijing, not to amend the Taiwan Relations Act, not to change its position on sovereignty over Taiwan, and not to pressure Taiwan to negotiate with the PRC.