A high-ranking US Department of Defense official on Thursday reaffirmed Washington's commitment to defend Taiwan against any military action by China, while again urging Taiwan to beef up its capability to defend itself.
William Fallon, commander of the US Pacific Command (PACOM), said that until China renounces any intention of using force to resolve the Taiwan issue, the US will maintain sufficient military capability in the region to meet its obligations under the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA).
"While consistently seeking to assure the [People's Republic of China] of our desire for peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues, we retain our strong commitment to the defense of Taiwan should it be threatened by PRC military action," Fallon said in his written statement before the Armed Services Committee in the House of Representatives.
defense
"In this regard, we have firmly and consistently advocated a stronger commitment and investment by Taiwan in its own defense. We welcome the general reduction in cross-strait tension between China and Taiwan but recognize the potential for danger in this relationship," he added.
Fallon noted that PACOM activities in this region are guided by the TRA, the three joint US-China communiques and the "one China" policy.
Under the TRA, the US has the obligation to assist Taiwan in maintaining its self-defense capability and retain the capacity to resist any use of force against Taiwan, he said.
"Our efforts are aimed to prevent miscalculation which might result in conflict," he said.
Fallon pointed out that China has continued to acquire new hardware and expand its military capabilities, a situation which he said calls for "close attention" by the US.
"While not constituting a capability near that of the United States, the increasing sophistication and size of modern military equipment, coupled with the lack of clear national intent with regard to this military capability, merits our close attention," Fallon said.
He also expressed frustration to US lawmakers over bickering in Taipei over whether to accept a huge US arms package.
"They've got me in a bit of a box here," Fallon said. "The history is that they have not been forthcoming in investing in their own defense."
He added, "I don't understand their reluctance to move forward."
The US has offered Taiwan an arms package that includes missiles, submarines and anti-submarine aircraft. Taiwan's defense ministry has said it needs the package to prevent the military balance from sliding too far in China's favor, and to maintain a chance of victory in a possible conflict.
For more than a year, the opposition in Taiwan has been blocking the deal, saying the weapons in the package are not suited to Taiwan's needs and would trigger an arms race with China.
investment
"What I would like to see," Fallon testified, "is some steps being made, some investment by Taiwan to actually acquire some of these capabilities, and to improve their own readiness."
He said enhancing Taiwan's ability to defend itself is the focus of the military engagement with the nation and that the US has seen strong interest by Taiwan in strengthening its defensive capabilities.
"We will continue to encourage their acquisition of useful technologies and a strong commitment to their own defense," he added.
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