The White House stated that it would send forces across the Taiwan Strait “in the coming weeks” and expressed its desire to avoid a crisis.
In accordance with US policy of preserving international law and freedom of the seas, we will undertake air and marine navigation over the Taiwan Strait in the coming weeks. John Kirby, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, stated, “I will also take extra measures to emphasize our commitment to the security of our allies in the region, particularly Japan.
China was condemned by a White House official for overreacting and “using US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s travel to Taiwan as a pretext to heighten military provocations” in the area. He claimed that US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had directed the Ronald Reagan carrier strike group to remain on duty and keep an eye on the situation in the vicinity of Taiwan. The US is constantly prepared for any Chinese action. A crisis is not something we seek for or desire. However, as we have done for decades to support Taiwan and defend the free and open Indo-Pacific, the United States will not hesitate to operate in the Western Pacific’s skies and waters in accordance with international law, Mr.
The comments were made in relation to China’s unprecedented widespread live-fire drills around Taiwan in response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the island on 2-3, August.
The Taiwan Strait, the Ba Si Canal, the East China Sea, and the Pacific Ocean surround the island of Taiwan, where the drill will take place. In the southern part of the island, less than 20 kilometers separate one of the six drill sites from Kaohsiung.
On the first day of the drill, more than 100 military aircraft, according to China’s Eastern Theater Command, were engaged in surveillance and support tasks. Additionally, more than ten destroyers were sent out to block access to the exercise area and support test coordination.
The Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier strike group was “on a normal and planned deployment” in the Philippine Sea, a 5.7 million square kilometer body of water east of the Philippines, and southeast Taiwan, according to the US Navy’s 7th Fleet on August 4.
Taiwan has recently dominated bilateral discussions between the US and China. China has stated its willingness to use force if necessary and has always regarded Taiwan as a colony in need of reunification.
Despite its commitment to upholding the “One China” policy, the US nonetheless maintains diplomatic ties with Taiwan and supplies the island nation with cutting-edge armaments. China has threatened that if the US “does not correctly handle the Taiwan issue,” their relationship “would be shattered.”
