Want China Times
Date: 2015-08-14
By: CNA
The United States reiterated Thursday its obligations stipulated in the Taiwan Relations
Zhang Zhijun, center, talks to the press outside the US State Department, Aug. 14. (Photo/CNA)
Act and the responsibility to ensure that Taiwan has the ability to defend itself and be free from any coercion or intimidation.
John Kirby, a State Department spokesperson, made the remarks in a daily press briefing upon being asked about the status of the US security commitment toward Taiwan.
A meeting between visiting Zhang Zhijun, head of China’s Taiwan Affairs Office under the State Council, and deputy secretary of state Antony Blinken and assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel that same day drew media attention, as Taiwan is set to hold a presidential election in January 2016 and Chinese president Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit the United States in September.
Kirby declined to comment on whether the Taiwan election was among the topics being discussed. [FULL STORY]
