The senior American diplomat in Taipei said on Friday that the Chinese Communist Party’s “provocations” in Taiwan, Japan, and the South China Sea could lead to a broader conflict.
According to Reuters, Sandra Oudkirk, Director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), told reporters that the United States is “firmly committed” to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the wider region.
“This is why we have consistently urged the People’s Republic of China (Communist China) to avoid coercive or provocative actions in the Taiwan Strait, South China Sea, and other regions,” she said. “Provocative actions by their very nature are dangerous, as they could lead to miscalculation or accidents, thereby sparking a broader conflict.”
Despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations between the United States and Taiwan, the U.S. remains Taiwan’s most significant international supporter and arms supplier.
The Chinese Communist Party claims sovereignty over Taiwan, but Taiwan rejects this claim. Over the past four years, China has increased military and political pressure on democratic Taiwan. Last month, following the inauguration of President Tsai Ing-wen in January, China conducted war exercises around Taiwan.
Tsai Ing-wen has stated that Taiwan and Communist China are not subordinate to one another.
While China continues to harass Taiwan, it is also embroiled in a long-standing sovereignty dispute with the Philippines in the South China Sea. Despite the 2016 ruling by an international tribunal invalidating China’s extensive claims in the South China Sea, tensions between China and the Philippines over disputed areas in the strategic waterway have been escalating.
Chinese coast guard ships have been accused of firing water cannons at Philippine supply vessels in the vicinity of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, resulting in injuries to Filipino crew members and damage to ships. Last Friday, the Philippine Coast Guard accused the Chinese coast guard of obstructing the medical evacuation of Philippine Navy personnel stationed at the Second Thomas Shoal, condemning China’s actions as “barbaric and inhumane.”
As conflicts escalate in the disputed South China Sea region between Chinese and Filipino navies, tensions between China and Japan have flared up once again over the Diaoyu Islands (Senkaku Islands) in the East China Sea.
These uninhabited islands administered by Japan are located approximately 170 kilometers north of Ishigaki Island and about 150 kilometers north of Yonaguni Island. Given that the Diaoyu Islands are also only around 170 kilometers from Taiwan and about 330 kilometers from mainland China, the islands are believed to be a strategic key in responding to the tense situation around Taiwan. China and Japan have repeatedly engaged in standoffs over the Diaoyu Islands.
In recent years, Japan has significantly bolstered its defense in its southwestern territories, including Okinawa and its outlying islands under Ishigaki City’s jurisdiction. Additionally, Japan has strengthened its maritime ties with its ally, the United States, to confront China’s increasingly assertive expansion.
Also on June 7th, four armed Chinese coast guard ships entered waters near the disputed islands in the East China Sea, prompting Japan to protest to Beijing.
Beijing has repeatedly warned that Taiwan is the most critical and dangerous issue in Sino-U.S. relations. While Taiwan rejects China’s sovereignty claim, it insists on the Taiwanese people determining their own future.
The American Institute in Taiwan serves as the equivalent of the U.S. Embassy in Taiwan. Under the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, AIT represents the United States and is responsible for promoting commercial, cultural, and other unofficial relations with the people of Taiwan.
Sandra Oudkirk stated that enhancing Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities is a top priority for the American Institute in Taiwan.
Taiwan has raised concerns over delays in the delivery of weapons it has ordered from the United States.
Oudkirk said, “Like all manufacturing, the production of U.S. weapons and other military equipment has been significantly impacted by supply chain issues during the pandemic. These issues are now being addressed.”
“We look forward to the delivery of the military capabilities Taiwan has purchased in recent years.”
Oudkirk’s three-year term as director will end next month. Her successor, Raymond Greene, who currently serves as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, previously served as Deputy Director at the American Institute in Taiwan.
Oudkirk is the first woman to serve as the Director of the American Institute in Taiwan. Prior to her current role, she held senior positions in the U.S. State Department focusing on Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and affairs related to Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands.
Oudkirk described Greene as “very familiar” with Taiwan.
According to the AIT website, Greene is a seasoned career diplomat with the current rank of Minister-Counselor in the U.S. Department of State. Throughout his 28-year diplomatic career, he has dedicated himself to promoting diplomatic, economic, and security exchanges between the United States and the Indo-Pacific region.