US Secretary of State Supports 'Taiwan Relations Act' Ensuring Taiwan's Defense... Warning to China (Comprehensive)

"Changing the Western Pacific Status Quo Would Be a Serious Mistake"
"China Did Not Take Proper Measures at the Early Stage of the COVID-19 Outbreak"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken expressed concern over China's aggressive activities toward Taiwan and emphasized that the United States supports the Taiwan Relations Act, which pledges Taiwan's defense and security. He strongly warned China that any forceful attempt to change the current situation in the Western Pacific region would be a serious mistake. Additionally, he continued his offensive remarks against China, accusing it of not providing transparent information during the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak.

According to foreign media including NBC News, on the 11th (local time), U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken stated in an interview with NBC News, "The United States has a long-standing commitment under the Taiwan Relations Act to ensure that Taiwan has the capability to defend itself and maintain peace and security in the Western Pacific." He emphasized, "What I can say is that we have a serious commitment to Taiwan's defense capabilities, and we will support such a commitment."

Secretary Blinken continued, "We are concerned about China's increasingly aggressive actions toward Taiwan," and strongly warned, "Anyone attempting to change the current situation in the Western Pacific by force would be making a serious mistake."

The Taiwan Relations Act is a domestic law enacted by the United States in 1979 to guarantee Taiwan's defense. At that time, the U.S. established diplomatic relations with China and severed official ties with Taiwan, but continued arms sales to Taiwan, guaranteed Taiwan's defense, and enacted the Taiwan Relations Act to prevent forced agreements with China. Recently, as the U.S. has strengthened its anti-China front, it has also expanded contact with Taiwan. On the 9th, the U.S. State Department issued new guidelines encouraging exchanges with Taiwan at the government level, further intensifying pressure on China.

Secretary Blinken also mentioned China's responsibility regarding COVID-19, continuing his pressure on China. He said, "We know that China did not do what was necessary in the early stages of COVID-19," and criticized, "China did not transparently disclose real-time information about the damage and COVID-19 to international experts." He further demanded strongly, "The World Health Organization (WHO) must be reformed to build a more transparent and robust global health system, and China must take the lead in this effort."

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