In a sharp warning from Washington on Friday, Taiwan’s top China policymaker said Beijing is actively preparing for war to seize the island — and cautioned that Taiwan’s fall could trigger a “domino effect” across the region, endangering even US security.
Chiu Chui-cheng, the cabinet-ranked head of Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, told the Washington-based Heritage Foundation that China’s ruling Communist Party had long refused to renounce the use of force against democratically governed Taiwan, which it considers to be part of its territory.
He added that Beijing “has been actively preparing for war”, and highlighted stepped-up Chinese military activity around the island.
“If Taiwan were to be taken over by China by force, it will trigger a domino effect, undermine the regional balance of power, and directly threaten the security and prosperity of the United States,” Chiu said.
The United States is Taiwan’s most important international backer and arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties.
Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, saying only the island’s people can decide their future.
While senior Taiwanese officials visit the United States, such trips are much rarer than for major US allies and generally much more low profile.
China’s embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Chiu’s remarks.
On Thursday, Chiu spoke to the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party on countering Chinese disinformation and strengthening Taiwan-US ties, committee chairman John Moolenaar wrote on X.
Chinese Carrier Nears Taiwan
China’s most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, recently passed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait into the South China Sea during its sea trials.
The Chinese navy said in a statement on Friday that the journey was made to conduct scientific research trials and training missions. First unveiled in 2022, the country’s third aircraft carrier began sea trials last year and has yet to formally enter service.
“This cross-regional trial and training exercise for the Fujian is a routine arrangement in the carrier’s construction process and is not directed at any specific target,” it added.
The sailing comes as US Marines and Japanese counterparts stage a fortnight of exercises on the nearby island of Okinawa with the Typhon missile system and other advanced anti-ship weapons. The exercises are due to run until September 25.
Japan’s defence ministry said late on Thursday that the Fujian had entered the East China Sea, sailing southwest toward Taiwan, accompanied by two Chinese missile destroyers.
Taiwan Monitoring Situation
Taiwan’s defence ministry said it has been monitoring the situation with joint intelligence surveillance and has taken appropriate measures.
China has, over the past five years or so, stepped up its military presence around Taiwan, including staging war games, to assert its sovereignty claims.
Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty, saying only the island’s people can decide their future.
(With inputs from Reuters)
