Taiwan received prior briefing on U.S. national security strategy

Taipei, The Presidential Office on Tuesday expressed thanks to the United States for briefing Taiwan in advance on its latest national security strategy report and for reiterating its commitment to the Taiwan Relations Act in the document.

U.S. President Donald Trump's administration unveiled the report Monday morning in Washington D.C. in which Taiwan is mentioned in the Indo-Pacific section.

"We will maintain our strong ties with Taiwan in accordance with our 'One China' policy, including our commitments under the Taiwan Relations Act to provide for Taiwan's legitimate defense needs and deter coercion," the U.S. states in the context of its cooperation with the region on military and security fronts.

In a statement Tuesday morning Taiwan time, Presidential Office spokesperson Sidney Lin said the U.S. briefed Taiwan on the report in Taipei on Monday afternoon.

The guiding principles outlined in the U.S. report as part of a strategy to bring about a free and open Indo-Pacific, including promotion of free and fair trade, and joining forces with its allies to deter threats, are "in line with our policy to pursue peace and stability in the region," Lin said.

"We thanked the U.S. for its prior briefing and its firm commitment to the Taiwan Relations Act," Lin added.

Securing continuity and a friendly relationship with the U.S. is of paramount importance to maintain security and stability in the East Asia region, Lin said. "We value very much the support the U.S. has long extended to Taiwan and cooperation between U.S. and Taiwan on all fronts."

As a member of the international community, Taiwan is committed to deepening cooperation and relationships with regional partners to contribute to the peace, stability, and welfare of the region, Lin added.

Meanwhile, Chen Li-kuo head of the Department of North American Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that the U.S. reaffirmation of its security commitment to Taiwan is "a positive step in the development of the Taiwan-U.S. relationship."

The fact that the Trump administration mentioned its cooperative security relationship with Taiwan in its first national security strategy report "is a testimony to its appreciation of Taiwan being a key security and economic partner in Asia Pacific region," Chen said.

Taiwan is highly interested in cooperating with the U.S. in advancing the Indo-Pacific strategy proposed by Trump during his trip to Asia last month, Chen said at a regular press briefing Tuesday morning.

Asked about possible roles for Taiwan under that initiative, Chen said that Taiwan "cannot afford to stand on the sidelines" of the emerging strategy because it occupies a strategic position in East Asia and is a contributor to regional security and stability.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel