Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Saturday reaffirmed U.S. support for Taiwan and warned of rising tensions between Taipei and Beijing.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Mr. Austin condemned China’s increasing provocations aimed at the self-governed island, warning that Beijing’s moves “threaten to undermine security, and stability, and prosperity in the Info-Pacific.”
“We’ve witnessed a steady increase in provocative and destabilizing military activity near Taiwan,” Mr. Austin said. “And that includes PLA aircraft flying near Taiwan in record numbers in recent months—and nearly on a daily basis.”
Mr. Austin committed to defending U.S. interests in the India-Pacific “without flinching.