Keating asserted that the US was “committed to the defense of Taiwan,” adding that the US’ position as a “preeminent force” in the Pacific meant that it would be “folly” for China or another country to believe it could win a war against the US.
On the basis of his repeated conversations with Chinese military leaders since he took over as US commander in the Pacific last year, Keating said he felt the situation in the Taiwan Strait was “significantly more stable” than when he took over.
“The tensions have been palpably decreased in the Strait,” especially since Ma’s election, he said.
“We’re trying to instill a very clear sense of military preeminence, so as to be a powerful deterrence against China’s kinetic military undertaking against Taiwan ... I want them [China] to know they’re going to lose ... so don’t bother,” he said.
In Taipei, Presidential Office Spokesman Wang Yu-chi (王郁琦) yesterday said the legislature’s passage of relevant budgets demonstrated Taiwan’s committment to strengthening its self-defense capability. The office expressed the hope that the US arms procurement could proceed as originally scheduled, he said.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY STAFF WRITER
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