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China

US Denies Pressure on Taiwan Amid Rising Tensions with China

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The US has rejected claims of applying pressure on Taipei to resolve tensions with China, with Assistant Secretary of State Stanley Roth testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the US has been "scrupulously neutral" in trying to defuse the situation. Roth emphasized that the US position on a peaceful resolution of the issue is clear, and that proposed legislation to bolster US military support to Taiwan would send the "wrong signal" to Beijing. The comments come as Taiwan's President Lee Teng-hui's declaration that contacts between Taipei and Beijing should be considered "state-to-state" has enraged China, leading to increased military activity in the straits between the island and mainland China.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US has denied attempts to apply pressure on Taipei to resolve tensions with China, with Assistant Secretary of State Stanley Roth testifying that the US has been "scrupulously neutral" in the situation.
  • Roth warned Congress that proposed legislation to bolster US military support to Taiwan would send the "wrong signal" to Beijing.
  • The Chinese government has expressed outrage over Taiwan's President Lee Teng-hui's declaration that contacts between Taipei and Beijing should be considered "state-to-state".
  • The US has expressed concern about large numbers of sorties over the straits by Chinese and Taiwanese warplanes following Mr Lee's declaration.
  • Taiwanese officials have stated that China has not sent any warplanes across the channel's mid-point, and that the island's armed forces will exercise restraint while ensuring shipping and civil aircraft remain able to travel through the straits.
  • Taiwan's Defense Minister Tang Fei emphasized that the island's armed forces follow international law and are extremely self-disciplined in handling the situation.

Statistics:

  • The number of sorties over the straits by Chinese and Taiwanese warplanes has increased following Mr Lee's declaration (no specific number mentioned).
  • TheProposed legislation to bolster US military support to Taiwan was not mentioned as containing specific numbers or details.
  • The summer months are traditionally a time of increased training by the mainland's air force, with good weather allowing for increased activity (no specific numbers mentioned).
  • Recent activity in the straits has been higher than normal, although no specific numbers were mentioned.

Sources:

  • The Financial Times Limited, 1999.

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