In response to China's military exercises in the disputed strait amid escalating tensions over the self-governing island, the United States plans to undertake fresh "air and marine transits" in the Taiwan Strait, according to the White House.
Earlier this month, while Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the US House, was visiting, China conducted its biggest-ever military exercise in the vicinity of Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own.In spite of the hostilities, US forces "will continue to fly, sail, and operate where international law allows, consistent with our long-standing commitment to freedom of passage," according to Kurt Campbell, the White House coordinator for Asia-Pacific matters and advisor to President Joe Biden.
In the coming weeks, he told reporters, "it includes making regular air and marine transits via the Taiwan Strait."
Campbell said he had no "comments regarding either the form of our crossings or the timings over the Taiwan Strait," declining to clarify what kind of deployment would be made to support the operations.
In the aftermath of tensions with China over the autonomous island, he said that Washington would soon reveal a "ambitious blueprint" for expanding economic ties with Taiwan.
largest military drills ever
During Pelosi's visit, Beijing conducted its largest-ever military exercises surrounding the independent island. It claims that the US is attempting to undermine its official stance on Taiwan and China.
As the highest-ranking elected American politician to visit China in decades, Pelosi has been accused by Taiwan of giving Beijing the green light to begin drills that Taipei has dubbed a practice for an invasion.
China considers the island to be its own land that will eventually be taken, by force if necessary.
Campbell claimed that China had "overreacted" and that Pelosi's visit was "compatible" with Washington's current strategy.
He claimed that Beijing had exploited the situation to "start an increased pressure campaign on Taiwan to try to change the status quo, risking peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the larger region."
"China has overreacted, and its actions continue to be unprecedented, aggressive, and destabilizing."
The US is reasserting its presence in the region in reaction to China's drills and reiterates its policy of "strategic ambiguity" — diplomatic recognition of China while also promoting the island's self-rule.The 'one China' stance of Washington
China researcher Andrew Leung told Al Jazeera that US activities on Taiwan go against the country's stated policy towards China since sending senior US officials to the island has long since hollowed out the "one China" doctrine.These trips provide Taiwan more diplomatic leeway to play a "almost independent role as if Taiwan were a distinct country" from China, according to Leung.
The majority of Taiwanese people do not support unification but they also do not have the courage to declare independence, it is still a fact. They want to keep things the same forever.
Leung referred to the island by its official name and remarked, "However, forever is not an option since President Xi has made it quite clear that 2049 is the exact deadline for unification which is the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of China."
In a statement released on Saturday, the island's foreign ministry commended Washington for its "strong support" and cited its "active measures to safeguard security in the Taiwan Strait and peace in the region."
Campbell stated, "We have and will continue to keep channels of communication open with Beijing." Campbell was criticizing China's choice to stop working with Washington on matters like the battle against climate change.
The official mentioned that Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping had requested a face-to-face meeting, but he would not comment on rumors that it would happen during the G20 summit in Bali this coming November.
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