Taiwan Coast Guard ships and a helicopter take part in a search-and-rescue operation during an offshore anti-terrorism drill at a harbor in New Taipei City, May 4, 2019. (File photo by=AP/Chiang Ying-ying) |
[Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] The United States policy coordinator for the Indo-Pacific on Tuesday (May 4) appeared to reject calls for the US to make a clear statement of its willingness to defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack, saying there were "significant downsides" to such an approach., Reuters reported.
Kurt Campbell told during a discussion hosted by the Financial Times it’s appropriate to be concerned about the situation over Taiwan, the self-ruled democratic island that has come under mounting military pressure from China, which considers it a renegade province. But, Campbell said he believed there’s appreciation in both the US and China that maintenance of some degree of status quo over the island was in the best interests of both countries.
While the US is required by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, it has long followed a policy of "strategic ambiguity" on whether it would intervene militarily to protect Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack. Campbell added any conflict between the US and China over Taiwan would not likely be contained to a small geographic area. The best way to maintain peace and stability was to send a consolidated message to China that combined diplomacy and US defense innovation, Campbell said.