REGIONAL TENSIONS: A US diplomat said that China’s ‘heavy-handed’ attempts at reducing Taiwan’s diplomatic relations could increase the possibility of conflict

Taipei Times
Date: May 25, 2019
By: AP, CANBERRA

A top US diplomat for Southeast Asia yesterday urged Pacific island nations not to withdraw diplomatic recognition of Taiwan, warning that Chinese pressure to change Taiwan’s international standing threatens to increase the possibility of conflict.

US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs W. Patrick Murphy spoke to reporters in Canberra at the end of a three-day visit to Australia for talks with government officials on expanding their security alliance.

Six Pacific island nations have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, accounting for one-third of the nation’s diplomatic allies around the world, but they are under intensifying pressure from Beijing to switch allegiance as it builds its influence in the region.

Murphy said that diplomatic decisions should not be influenced by China.  [FULL  STORY]