Photo: Raymond Greene, Director of the American Institute in Taipei (AIT)
The United States is building a system of alliances in the Indo-Pacific region to counter threats from China, the top US diplomat in Taiwan said on Wednesday, September 4. At the same time, he emphasized that Taiwan is not Beijing's only target in its quest to change the situation in the region, Reuters reports.
The agency recalls that the United States is Taiwan's most important ally and a supplier of weapons to Taipei, despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations. Raymond Green, the recently appointed director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) (the de facto US ambassador), spoke to reporters in Taipei.
“The United States is building a system of alliances in the Indo-Pacific to enhance our ability to deter (China),” Green said. He explained that Taiwan is not the only target of China's efforts to “intimidate and coerce the status quo” and that more countries are joining forces to preserve the international rules-based system.
Green said those efforts, along with Taiwan's defense investments and “impressive” military reforms, are aimed at preventing war, not preparing for one.
“Maintaining a strategic balance in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region will promote peaceful dialogue to resolve disputes between the two sides,” Green said.
Green also said the U.S. would not rule out joint arms production with Taiwan, adding that the island's defense needs were a priority for the U.S.
Earlier this week, Taiwan President Lai Qingde said Beijing's true goal was to dominate the Western Pacific.
Green took office in July. Previously, he served as the US Deputy Ambassador to Japan.
He emphasized that the US cooperates with Taiwan in the area of emergency response. This includes communications, cybersecurity and energy supply.
Prepared by: Sergey Daga