《TAIPEI TIMES》 US vows support for defense capabilities amid China threat

/ Staff writer, with CNA

The US will continue to support Taiwan’s efforts to develop asymmetric defense capabilities consistent with the evolving Chinese threat, the US Department of Defense said on Thursday as it issued a new defense strategy paper.

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The People’s Republic of China’s （PRC） “coercive and increasingly aggressive endeavor to refashion the Indo-Pacific region and the international system to suit its interests and authoritarian preferences” poses a threat to the US and its allies in the region, it said

The US “will support Taiwan’s asymmetric self-defense commensurate with the evolving PRC threat consistent with [Beijing’s] one China policy,” the Pentagon said.

The report also commits the US to supporting allies’ efforts to address “acute forms of gray zone coercion from the PRC’s campaigns to establish control over the East China Sea, Taiwan Strait, South China Sea and disputed land borders such as with India.”

The Pentagon said Beijing could possess at least 1,000 deliverable nuclear warheads by 2030 through ambitious expansion, modernization and diversification of its nuclear forces.

“This could provide the PRC with new options before and during a crisis or conflict to leverage nuclear weapons for coercive purposes, including military provocations against US allies and partners in the region,” it said.

Separately on Thursday, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby reiterated Washington’s continued support for Taiwan’s development of defense capabilities consistent with the US’ Taiwan Relations Act.

As a sign of support, Kirby cited the US$1.1 billion arms sale package approved by the defense department on Sept. 2, which includes 60 Harpoon anti-ship missiles, 100 Sidewinder tactical air missiles and logistics support for the Leshan Radar Station in Hsinchu County’s Wufeng Township （五峰）.

There has been no change to the US’ Taiwan policy, so there is no reason for China to use the arms sale as a pretext to engage in a conflict, Kirby added.

新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES