Former US ambassador to the UN Kelly Craft says that the United States would lose the Asia Pacific region if it were to lose Taiwan. Craft was speaking on Tuesday at an online forum on Asia Pacific security issues, where she reiterated the United States’ commitment to Taiwan’s defense.
Craft says it is a shame that Beijing is using the recent withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan to suggest that Taiwan cannot count on US support. She says that a recent editorial by the Chinese-run media outlet Global Times that drew an analogy between Afghanistan and Taiwan was wrong.
Craft says Taiwan plays an important role alongside the United States in the Indo-Pacific region in resisting China’s threat.
Meanwhile, Craft says she hopes Taiwan will become a member of the Quad, which is a strategic partnership involving the US, Japan, Australia and India. She says that she believes that the Quad can benefit from President Tsai Ing-wen’s democratic values and good governance. Craft also says the Quad can learn from Taiwan’s unique experience dealing with China.