The United States said on Thursday August 18 that it expected Beijing to strengthen its
military, economic and diplomatic “
coercion ” on Taiwan in the “
weeks and months
” to come .
"
If our policy hasn't changed, what has changed is the increasing coercion from Beijing
," Daniel Kritenbrink, the State Department's East Asia official, said on a conference call. with journalists.
Earlier this month, the Chinese military responded to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei with unprecedented drills in the air and waters of the Taiwan Strait.
"
These activities are part of an intense campaign of coercion (...) to intimidate and coerce Taiwan and undermine its resilience
", analyzed Daniel Kritenbrink.
And these pressures will continue in the “
weeks and months
” to come, he added.
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Washington announced Thursday formal negotiations for a trade and investment agreement with Taiwan, in order to support this democracy, even if the United States does not maintain official relations with the government of Taipei.
Beijing claims sovereignty over Taiwan, has promised to regain it one day, by force if necessary, and is irritated at each diplomatic act advancing towards official recognition of the island.
“
The words and actions (of China) are deeply destabilizing.
They risk causing miscalculations and threaten the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait
,” said Daniel Kritenbrink.
Taiwan presented its most advanced fighter jet on Wednesday in a rare nighttime demonstration, in the wake of military exercises in Beijing.
The American diplomat assured that Washington would respond with "
calm, but resolute measures
" to keep the Taiwan Strait open.
A senior US Navy commander said this week that Washington and its allies should challenge China's ballistic missile launches over Taiwan.