US Congressional Advisory Panel Warns of China's Potential Military Unification by Invading Taiwan

US-China Economic Security Review Commission Warns of Possible Chinese Invasion of Taiwan in Annual Report
"US Must Strongly Declare Support for Taiwan in Case of Emergency"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC), a bipartisan advisory body under the US Congress, warned in its annual report submitted to Congress that China might invade Taiwan to forcibly unify it and recommended strengthening support for the Taiwanese government in case of an emergency. It is expected that President-elect Joe Biden will refer to the USCC's policy recommendations after taking office, so the relationship between the US and Taiwan is anticipated to continue close ties following the Donald Trump administration.

On the 1st (local time), the USCC submitted its 2020 annual report to the US Congress, covering strategic competition between the US and China worldwide, as well as economic and security issues. The report included a separate section on Taiwan, warning that China might resort to any means to achieve unification with Taiwan, including a possible military invasion.

The USCC emphasized, "The Chinese Communist Party has intensified diplomatic and military pressure to isolate Taiwan amid the COVID-19 pandemic," adding, "China is conducting large-scale exercises by intruding into Taiwan's adjacent international waters and territorial waters and is attempting to invade Taiwan."

It further recommended, "The US government should more strongly express its ability to support Taiwan in case of an emergency," and "To this end, the head of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), which currently functions as the US embassy in Taiwan, should be appointed by the President directly and confirmed by the Senate, just like ambassadors to other countries, and the law should be revised accordingly." This is interpreted as treating Taiwan as a de facto separate country from China.

Since the US government severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan and did not officially recognize Taiwan as a country following the establishment of diplomatic relations with China in 1979 under the 'One China' principle, the USCC's recommendation is expected to provoke strong opposition from the Chinese government. The Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported, "The Biden administration will face the difficult decision of whether to continue strengthening relations with Taiwan, as pursued by the previous Trump administration," and added, "Since the US must address various issues with China, including climate change, North Korean nuclear issues, and arms control, the Biden administration might seek to avoid provoking China over Taiwan."

However, since the USCC's recommendations reflect bipartisan voices in the US political sphere for national interests, it is expected that President-elect Biden will significantly consider them in his China policy after taking office. According to Voice of America (VOA), the USCC is a bipartisan advisory body composed of key members of both the Republican and Democratic parties, as well as current and former senior officials, which has submitted annual reports to Congress on the impact of US-China relations on national security since 2000.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.