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US destroyers in the Strait of Taiwan (December 2020)
Photo: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Markus Castaneda/AP
Notwithstanding heightened tensions with China over Taiwan, the US will use ships and planes to cross the Taiwan Strait in the coming weeks, according to a senior government official.
The United States also wants to expand its trade relations with Taiwan, as the US coordinator for the Asia-Pacific region, Kurt Campbell, announced in Washington.
US forces would "continue to fly, navigate the seas and operate where international law permits," Campbell said.
This also includes "normal overflights and ship transits of the Taiwan Strait in the coming weeks".
Campbell gave no details on the exact timing or extent of planned US troop movements in the straits between Taiwan and mainland China.
The US government official also announced that a new trade plan for Taiwan and information on planned trade talks would be released in the coming days.
The USA would "further deepen" its relations with Taiwan, among other things by strengthening economic cooperation.
"Pressure campaign" against Taiwan
Campbell described the day-long maneuvers of historically unprecedented proportions that China last held after US leader Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan as an "overreaction".
Beijing continues to show "provocative, destabilizing and unprecedented" behavior.
"China's actions are contrary to the goal of peace and stability," Campbell said.
It is part of a "pressure campaign" against Taiwan that has not yet ended.
"We expect it to continue in the coming weeks and months." The aim is to intimidate Taiwan and undermine the resilience of the democratic island republic.
The government in Taipei welcomed the US official's announcements.
Taiwan's foreign ministry thanked Washington for its "determined support" and "concrete actions to maintain cross-strait security and regional peace."
U.S. and allied warships have held regular drills in the straits for years, often drawing angry reactions from Beijing.
China regards Taiwan and the surrounding waters as its sovereign territory.
The United States and many other countries, on the other hand, consider the route international waters open to all.
After the communists won the Chinese Civil War in 1949, there was a split between China and Taiwan.
To this day, Beijing regards the island as a breakaway territory that it wants to reunite with the mainland - if necessary using military force.
On the other hand, Taiwan has long seen itself as independent.
Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has fueled fears that Beijing could use a similar approach in its dealings with Taiwan.
wit/AFP/dpa
