Beijing must stop its destabilising activities against Taiwan: US

An armed US-made F16 fighter jet takes off from a motorway in Pingtung, southern Taiwan, during the annual Han Kuang drill on September 15 this year. Pic/AFP

Declaring that America's commitment to Taiwan was "rock-solid", the US has told China that it will continue to watch very closely the "provocative" and "destabilising" Chinese military activities near the self-ruled island.

Taiwan's Defence Ministry said 56 Chinese warplanes made incursions into its air defence identification zone on Monday, the highest number since the island began publicly reporting such activities last year. China views Taiwan as a breakaway province. However, democratic Taiwan sees itself as a sovereign state. Beijing has not ruled out the possible use of force to achieve unification with Taiwan.

Responding to questions on the issue of Chinese warplanes frequently entering Taiwan's air defence zone, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters at her daily news conference on Monday that, "We remain concerned by the People's Republic of China's provocative military activity near Taiwan, which is destabilising risk miscalculations and undermines regional peace and stability."

"We urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic and economic pressure and coercion against Taiwan, and we have an abiding interest in peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," she said. "That's why we will continue to assist Taiwan in maintaining a sufficient self-defence capability. We maintain our commitments, as outlined in the three communiques, Taiwan Relations Act, and the Six Assurances," she said.

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