The Taiwan Relations Act or Taiwan agreement as many call it is the 1979 law passed by the Congress between the U.S. and Taiwan, to maintain peace and stability in the western pacific region. It indicates that the agreement allows both states to engage in “friendly commercial, cultural, and other relations”, to ensure the above-stated goal.
President Biden was reported saying, “I’ve spoken with Xi about Taiwan. We agree we will abide by the Taiwan agreement. That’s where we are and I made it clear that I don’t think he should be doing anything other than abiding by the agreement,”
The overall Act in the Taiwan agreement is vague enough, but it states that the U.S. must “make available to Taiwan such defense articles and defense services in such quantity as may be necessary to enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability.” These developments come soon after China’s military activity that was considered ‘provocative’ by the Taiwanese defense officials.
Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUr24vnvvC0
56 Chinese flights on Monday entered Taiwan’s airspace, raising concerns for the defense ministry of the country. It brought the total for October to be 149, the highest yearly number to date. Taiwan’s defense minister Chiu Kuo-Cheng seems to think that “the country might be preparing for a possible war with China.” This is what led to the current discussion on the role the U.S. is to play in the Taiwan agreement.
China claims to have sovereignty over Taiwan, yet the recent intrusions in their airspace have caused deep concerns for the country. The State Department’s spokesperson, Ned Price said, “We urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure and coercion against Taiwan.”
