Peace in the Taiwan Strait is important, Campbell says

REPORT:
Preventing a Chinese invasion of Taiwan is essential in countering security threats posed by Beijing and critical to US’ economic prosperity, a think tank said

• By Liu Tzu-hsuan / Staff reporter

US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell “underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, in the South China Sea and on the Korean Peninsula,” during a call with Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ma Zhaoxu (馬朝旭) on Tuesday , US Department of State spokesman Matthew Miller said.

The call was part of “ongoing efforts” of the US and China “to maintain open lines of communication … and responsibly manage competition in the relationship.” he added

In other news, a report published by the Heritage Foundation on Wednesday, titled The American Case for Taiwan, said that deterring China from invading Taiwan is “critical” to the security and economic prosperity of the US.

“Taiwan plays such an indispensable role in the US and global economies that war over the island could result in a global depression,” said Michael Cunningham, a research fellow at the foundation’s Asian Studies Center.

The US government should help its people understand the impact of a possible Taiwan contingency, otherwise it “will struggle to justify sending American treasure, let alone soldiers, halfway across the globe to defend Taiwan,” the report said.

Taiwan is a key issue in the competition for regional dominance between the US and China, it said, adding that “preventing a Chinese takeover of the island is essential to countering the security threats posed by an ascendant China.”

It would be difficult for the US to remain neutral in the event of a cross-strait conflict as tens of thousands of US citizens live in Taiwan, and treaty allies, such as the Philippines and Japan, might be entangled in such a conflict, the report said.

If Beijing takes control of Taipei, it might continue to pursue dominance on a wider stage, it said.

Taiwan also plays a critical role in the economy of the US and the globe, being a “major investor” in the US and having some of “the world’s most vital commercial sea lanes,” whose disruption would bring “an economic catastrophe,” it said in the report.

China would also be heavily stricken by a cross-strait conflict — unemployment would skyrocket if Taiwanese businesses, which “reportedly employ 10 million people in China,” were forced to stop operating, it said, adding that social unrest much-feared by Beijing would be much more likely.

The report outlines the principles the US should follow to help Taiwan deter China’s aggression, including preserving the “status quo,” which requires a delicate balance between supporting Taiwan and avoiding the provocation of China.

To strengthen Taiwan’s deterrence, it should be made clear to Beijing that the US and its allies “are ready and able to deny any attempt to seize Taiwan,” it said.

The US should ensure there are sufficient military assets and weapons in the region and to “remain committed to arming Taiwan,” it added.

The report also called for the development and adoption of new capabilities, such as uncrewed systems, and the improvement of intelligence gathering on Chinese forces while cooperating with Taipei “to safeguard Taiwan’s energy security and communications networks against potential Chinese sabotage.”