High-ranking Pentagon official Ely Ratner says the United States will ensure defense cooperation between Washington and Taipei in the face of China’s military aggression.
Ratner has been nominated by President Joe Biden as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs. He said China’s military activities in the Taiwan Strait have increased the risk of miscalculations.
At a nomination hearing at the US Senate Committee on Armed Forces on Wednesday, Ratner said the United States must continue pursuing a free and open Indo-Pacific region and investing in regional allies, including Taiwan.
When asked about the possibility of a Chinese attack on Taiwan, Ratner said China has yet to renounce the possible use of force against Taiwan, which is worrisome. Ratner said that if Washington is unable to deter China, China could attack Taiwan to fulfil its political goals.
Ratner also said it is encouraging that President Tsai Ing-wen is taking steps to build a more agile and flexible armed force.