The US has seen “no indication” that the situation in Taiwan warrants a review of its policy of not evacuating private US citizens from areas of conflict, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on Monday, but did not disclose whether it was preparing for such a contingency.
The Messenger news site reported that the US government was drawing up evacuation plans for US citizens living in Taiwan, citing three anonymous sources with knowledge of the matter.
One of the sources, identified as a senior US intelligence official, told the Web site that planning had been under way for at least six months, but had “heated up” over the past two months.
Photo: EPA-EFE
Another source said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has served as an impetus for the planning, by driving a “relook” at what plans are in place.
Asked about the report at a news conference, Kirby said it was not routine US policy to evacuate private US citizens from areas of conflict.
“And there is no indication at this time that current conditions in Taiwan would warrant any reconsideration of that policy,” he said.
Kirby said the US takes seriously its responsibility to ensure the safety of its citizens and personnel abroad, and has “routine procedures in place to make sure that we’re prepared for any type of emergency.”
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Washington said the issue of evacuation planning first came up in March, when Taiwanese media reported about a text message sent to US citizens in Taiwan by the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT).
The AIT at the time said the message was sent after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake and its aftershocks caused widespread damage in Turkey and Syria, to remind US citizens to prepare for any kind of potential disaster.
The Feb. 10 message, which is available on the AIT’s Web site, reminded US citizens that Taiwan is in a “region prone to disasters,” and encouraged them to enroll in the US Department of State registry for citizens living abroad and to have a “go-bag” ready in case of an emergency.
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