“We remain concerned by the People’s Republic of China’s provocative military activity near Taiwan, which is destabilizing risk miscalculations and undermines regional peace and stability,” Psaki told reporters.
“We urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure and coercion against Taiwan. And we have an abiding interest in peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. That’s why we’ll continue to assist Taiwan in maintaining a sufficient self-defense capability.”
“We maintain our commitments, as outlined in the Three Communiqués, Taiwan Relations Act, and the Six Assurances,” she added.
Psaki also doubled down on the U.S.’s support for Taiwan, noting that its commitment to the island was “rock solid” and “contributes to the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and within the region.”
The United States has had a long relationship with Taiwan and has provided it with military and other types of support since 1949 when the Nationalist Government of the Republic of China relocated there following the Chinese Civil War. While the United States and Taiwan enjoy a close unofficial relationship it is yet to create official ties with the island, due to its multiple agreements with Beijing.
“We have been clear privately and publicly about our concern about the PRC’s pressure and coercion toward Taiwan, and we will continue to watch the situation very closely,” Psaki said.
The White House’s comments come after Beijing sent 56 fighter jets into Taiwan’s air defense zone on Monday, including 34 J-16 fighters and 12 H-6 bombers, according to Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense.
An additional four Chinese J-16s appeared in the southwestern part of Taiwan’s “Air Defense Identification Zone”—the buffer area outside the island’s airspace. Taiwan said it had scrambled jets and deployed missiles to warn off the mainland military aircraft.
