Taiwan’s foreign ministry has thanked US Vice President Kamala Harris for pledging to deepen “unofficial ties” with Taiwan in the face of military and economic intimidation from China. Harris is currently visiting Asia on a four-day trip and delivered her remarks during a speech at a US Navy base in Yokosuka, Japan on Wednesday.
Harris says China is “undermining key elements of the international rules-based order.” She says China is using its military and economic strength to intimidate neighboring countries and is showing “disturbing” and “provocative” behavior in the waters it shares with them.
Harris says the US will continue to operate in the region despite expecting more aggressive actions by China. She said Washington will continue to support Taiwan’s self-defense and praised Taiwan’s global contributions. This comes weeks after President Joe Biden promised the US would defend Taiwan against a Chinese attack.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Joanne Ou thanked Harris and the Biden administration for continued public support during a press conference on Thursday. She says Taiwan will continue to strengthen its national defense, oppose authoritarian aggression, and deepen security ties with the United States.