PUSHBACK: A US assistant secretary of defense urged Beijing to renounce the use of force and underlined the US’ commitment to supplying Taiwan’s security needs
Taipei Times
Date: Jul 20, 2018
By: Lu Yi-hsuan and Sherry Hsiao / Staff reporter, with staff writer
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) yesterday reiterated its support for
freedom of navigation in open seas, after US Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs Randall Schriver told a Washington forum that the Taiwan Strait is international waters and the US has the “right” to transit through and engage in activities there.
Schriver made the remarks on Wednesday during a question-and-answer session following his keynote address at an event titled “The Opportunities and Challenges of Cross-Strait Relations” organized by the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy and the Heritage Foundation.
He was asked by reporters whether the US would continue to send aircraft carriers through the Taiwan Strait as Beijing increases its military activity in the region.
However, Schriver said he would not discuss the US’ plans in the Taiwan Strait.
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