China has just completed its maneuvers off Taiwan when the United States makes its position clear: in the near future, as in the past, it will show a military presence in the region - "in accordance with the commitments to freedom of navigation".
Notwithstanding heightened tensions with China over Taiwan, the US will use ships and planes to cross the Taiwan Strait in the "coming weeks," according to a senior US administration official. The United States also wants to expand its trade relations with Taiwan, as announced by the US coordinator for the Asia-Pacific region, Kurt Campbell.
"Consistent with our long-term commitment to freedom of navigation," US forces would "continue to fly, navigate the seas and operate where international law permits," Campbell said. This also includes "normal overflights and ship transits of the Taiwan Strait in the coming weeks". Campbell did not provide details on the exact timing or extent of planned US troop movements in the straits between Taiwan and mainland China.
The US government official also announced that a new trade plan for Taiwan and information on planned trade talks with Taipei would be released in the coming days. The United States would "further deepen" its relations with Taiwan, including by strengthening economic cooperation.
Campbell described the day-long maneuvers of historically unprecedented proportions that China last held after the visit of US top politician Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan as an "overreaction". Beijing continues to show "provocative, destabilizing and unprecedented" behavior.
The government in Taipei welcomed the US official's announcements. Taiwan's foreign ministry thanked Washington for its "determined support" and "concrete actions to maintain cross-strait security and regional peace."
U.S. and allied warships have held regular drills in the straits for years, often drawing angry reactions from Beijing. China regards Taiwan and the surrounding waters as its sovereign territory. The United States and many other countries, on the other hand, consider the route international waters open to all.
After the communist victory in the Chinese civil war in 1949, there was a split between China and Taiwan. To this day, Beijing regards the island as a breakaway territory that it wants to reunite with the mainland - if necessary using military force. Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has fueled fears that Beijing could use a similar approach in its dealings with Taiwan.
