Taiwan’s representative to the United States Hsiao Bi-khim says that US Navy transits through the Taiwan Strait are a demonstration of the US commitment to Taiwan. She was speaking during an interview with Radio Taiwan International.
Hsiao said that US-Taiwan ties are strong, and cooperation and engagement is increasing on many fronts. Hsiao said that the Biden administration sees Taiwan as a “critical partner in security and economics” and “a leader in democracy”.
In terms of regional security, she said the United States has been demonstrating its “rock-solid support of Taiwan” through “leadership in continuing freedom of navigation operations in the region as a strong deterrent against any consideration of unilateral military action that would upset the status quo.”
China has been increasing its military activity near Taiwan, sending warplanes near Taiwan at an unprecedented rate since last August. Regarding the defense challenges Taiwan faces with an increasingly aggressive China, Hsiao said that “We are in very close coordination with the US in dealing with security challenges.”
She also said the US has demonstrated strong support for Taiwan through leadership of its allies. This can be seen in joint statements at the recent G7 summit and Biden’s summit with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. The summits issued official joint statements underscoring “the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait”. The G7 statement also expressed “strong opposition to any unilateral actions that could escalate tensions and undermine regional stability”. Hsiao said peace in the Taiwan Strait is in the interest of the region and the world.
Hsiao also noted US leadership in calling for Taiwan’s participation in the international community. This could be seen in the recent #LetTaiwanHelp campaign led by US lawmakers along with the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, a coalition of global lawmakers, that called for Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly this month.
Hsiao also noted the new guidelines issued by the US State Department for interaction between US and Taiwan officials. She said the new guidelines “encourage broader engagement between Taiwan and the US.”