U.S. unveils new Indo-Pacific strategy, vows to work with Taiwan
ROC Central News Agency
02/12/2022 05:20 PM
Washington, Feb. 11 (CNA) The United States will defend its interests and deter military aggression against both itself and its partners in the Indo-Pacific region, according to a key strategy report released by the White House on Friday.
The report, titled Indo-Pacific Strategy of the United States, said the U.S. "will defend our interests, deter military aggression against our own country and our allies and partners -- including across the Taiwan Strait."
It outlined possible measures the U.S. would take to enhance regional security, including the development of "new capabilities, concepts of operation, military activities, defense industrial initiatives, and a more resilient force posture."
The report, the first one issued regarding U.S. strategy in the Indo-Pacific region since President Joe Biden took office last January, noted that the intensifying American focus in this part of the world was due in part to the fact that it faced mounting challenges, particularly from China.
"Our allies and partners in the region bear much of the cost of the People's Republic of China's harmful behavior," the report said, mentioning in particular China's retaliatory measures against Australia for calling for an investigation into the origin of COVID-19, as well as Beijing's growing pressure on Taiwan.
According to data from Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense, the Chinese People's Liberation Army warplanes conducted a total of 961 sorties in Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) throughout 2021, compared to 380 in the previous year, when the ministry began releasing the data.
An ADIZ is an area declared by a country to allow it to identify, locate, and control approaching foreign aircraft, but such zones are not considered territorial airspace.
The White House report also said the U.S. will work to support Taiwan's self-defense capabilities and ensure an environment in which Taiwan's future is determined peacefully in accordance with the wishes and best interests of Taiwan's people.
It added that the U.S. would work with partners inside and outside of the region to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
According to the report, the U.S. approach remains consistent with its "One China" policy, the Taiwan Relations Act, the Three Joint Communiqués, and the Six Assurances.
In response to the issuing of the report, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) expressed its appreciation to the U.S. for demonstrating its commitment to Taiwan.
In a press statement issued on Saturday (Taipei time), MOFA also said it would continue to work closely with the U.S. government to contribute to the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region and uphold an international order based on the rule of law.
During a background press call on Friday, a senior U.S. administration official said the goal of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy would be to "strengthen the U.S. role in the region," as the U.S. recognizes that "American security and prosperity fundamentally depend on that of the Indo-Pacific."
According to the official, the U.S. will work with its allies and partners to keep the region free, open, prosperous, and secure.
It will also build connections within and beyond the region and bolster regional resilience to transnational threats, such as climate change and public health crises, the official said.
Commenting on the new Indo-Pacific Strategy, Taiwan defense expert Lin Ying-yu (林穎佑) told CNA Saturday that he believed the report was meant to reaffirm the U.S.' focus on the region.
The U.S. cannot afford an unstable Indo-Pacific at a time when tensions between Russia and the West regarding Ukraine have mounted significantly, he said.
Lin also noted that in its report, the U.S. said it would expand its Coast Guard presence and cooperation in Southeast and South Asia, and the Pacific Islands, with a focus on "advising, training, deployment, and capacity-building."
He said while the report did not specifically mention Taiwan in this section, the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding on Coast Guard cooperation last year to pursue maritime search and rescue missions, as well as reduce illegal activities.
Meanwhile, Taiwan's main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) said in a press statement that it welcomed the U.S. commitment to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and that the party was ready to engage in dialogue with the U.S. on issues of interest to both Taiwan and the U.S.
Alexander Huang (黃介正), head of the KMT's Department of International Affairs, said Taiwan could play a more active role as the U.S. pursues its objectives in the Indo-Pacific region, and that the Taiwan government should therefore pay special attention to the report.
(By Chiang Chin-yeh, Matt Yu, Liu Kuan-ting and Teng Pei-ju)
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