Taipei Times
Date: May 13, 2018
By: Staff writer, with CNA, WASHINGTON

The US Department of State on Friday again expressed concern over the People’s

A Taiwanese Indigenous Defense Fighter, right, shadows a Chinese Tu-154M electronic surveillance aircraft after the latter flew over the Bashi Channel on Friday.  Photo: AFP / Ministry of National Defense

Republic of China’s (PRC) lack of military transparency and reiterated its opposition to attempts to change the “status quo” in the Taiwan Strait, after Chinese military aircraft circled around Taiwan.

“The United States remains concerned by China’s lack of transparency about its growing military capabilities and associated strategic intentions,” a department spokesperson said in an e-mailed response to queries by Taiwanese media. “The United States opposes unilateral actions by any party aimed at altering the status quo, including any resort to force or other forms of coercion.”

The US has a deep and abiding interest in cross-strait peace and stability and encourages Taipei and Beijing to engage in constructive dialogue that pursues a peaceful resolution of differences acceptable to the people on both sides of the Strait, they added.    [FULL  STORY]