The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) yesterday said that Washington’s “abiding interest” is cross-strait peace and stability, and described China’s continuing hostile actions against Taiwan as an attempt to alter the “status quo” in the region.
“The US views Taiwan security as central to the security of the Indo-Pacific region, and continues to have an abiding interest in cross-strait peace and stability,” AIT Chairman James Moriarty said at a meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) at the Presidential Office in Taipei.
Moriarty, who is leading a delegation on a six-day visit to Taiwan, also said that the US is “deeply troubled” by the unrelenting political, economic and military pressure that Beijing is exerting on Taiwan, referring to it as an attempt to alter the “status quo” across the Taiwan Strait.
Photo: CNA
“The US opposes unilateral attempts to alter the ‘status quo,’ because they undermine the regional framework that has enabled peace, stability and development for decades,” he said.
Beijing last month poached two of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies in the Pacific — the Solomon Islands and Kiribati. It has also been intimidating Taiwan by circling the nation with warplanes, conducting military exercises and issuing verbal threats.
In August, it prohibited individual tourists from 47 Chinese cities from visiting Taiwan.
Taiwan has been unable to participate in the activities of many international organizations, such as meetings of the WHO, the International Civil Aviation Organization and Interpol, among others, due to China’s opposition.
Moriarty lauded significant advances in US-Taiwan relations, citing the opening of the AIT’s new complex in Taipei and Washington’s plan to sell a 66 F-16V jets to Taiwan as examples.
He described Taiwan as the first line of defense for democratic values and a valued partner in addressing key regional challenges.
“As a democratic success story and a force for good in the world, Taiwan is a natural partner of the United States,” he said.
Tsai said Taiwan-US relations are “at their best” in decades, as the two nations this year celebrate the 40th anniversary of the US’ Taiwan Relations Act, which has served as a basis for the US to maintain substantive relations with Taiwan since Washington switched diplomatic recognition to Beijing.
The nation last month sent an agricultural procurement delegation to the US and plans to buy US$3.7 billion of agricultural products over the next two years, Tsai said.
Taiwan hopes to launch negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement as soon as possible, to further bolster trade between the two nations, she said.
The Taiwanese passport ranked 33rd in a global listing of passports by convenience this month, rising three places from last month’s ranking, but matching its position in January last year. The Henley Passport Index, an international ranking of passports by the number of designations its holder can travel to without a visa, showed that the Taiwan passport enables holders to travel to 139 countries and territories without a visa. Singapore’s passport was ranked the most powerful with visa-free access to 192 destinations out of 227, according to the index published on Tuesday by UK-based migration investment consultancy firm Henley and Partners. Japan’s and
NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT: An official said that Guan Guan’s comments had gone beyond the threshold of free speech, as she advocated for the destruction of the ROC China-born media influencer Guan Guan’s (關關) residency permit has been revoked for repeatedly posting pro-China content that threatens national security, the National Immigration Agency said yesterday. Guan Guan has said many controversial things in her videos posted to Douyin (抖音), including “the red flag will soon be painted all over Taiwan” and “Taiwan is an inseparable part of China,” while expressing hope for expedited “reunification.” The agency received multiple reports alleging that Guan Guan had advocated for armed reunification last year. After investigating, the agency last month issued a notice requiring her to appear and account for her actions. Guan Guan appeared as required,
Japan and the Philippines yesterday signed a defense pact that would allow the tax-free provision of ammunition, fuel, food and other necessities when their forces stage joint training to boost deterrence against China’s growing aggression in the region and to bolster their preparation for natural disasters. Japan has faced increasing political, trade and security tensions with China, which was angered by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remark that a Chinese attack on Taiwan would be a survival-threatening situation for Japan, triggering a military response. Japan and the Philippines have also had separate territorial conflicts with Beijing in the East and South China
A strong cold air mass is expected to arrive tonight, bringing a change in weather and a drop in temperature, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. The coldest time would be early on Thursday morning, with temperatures in some areas dipping as low as 8°C, it said. Daytime highs yesterday were 22°C to 24°C in northern and eastern Taiwan, and about 25°C to 28°C in the central and southern regions, it said. However, nighttime lows would dip to about 15°C to 16°C in central and northern Taiwan as well as the northeast, and 17°C to 19°C elsewhere, it said. Tropical Storm Nokaen, currently
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