In CNN Interview, President Tsai Confirms U.S. Military Personnel Present in Taiwan
China Times, October 30, 2021
The recently published “2021 Chinese Military Power Report” by Ministry of National Defense indicates that foreign military force stationed in Taiwan is one of the seven possible situations for mainland China to invade Taiwan by force.
In an interview by CNN on October 28, President Tsai Ing-wen for the first time confirmed the presence of U.S. military personnel in Taiwan, triggering attention both at home and abroad. CNN cited again yesterday the record of Pentagon revealing the number of U.S. military personnel has grown three times to 32.
In response to interpellation by an opposition Kuomintang (KMT) legislator, Minister of National Defense Chiu Kuo-cheng stressed that this was not “military stationed in Taiwan” but “training assistance exchanges.” If it causes misunderstanding by the opposite side of the strait, Taiwan needs to explain clearly. But Minister Chiu stated that he is unsure how the other side might interpret this.
At the CNN interview, when questioned if the United States dispatched military personnel to assist training Taiwan military, President Tsai stated that Taiwan’s cooperation with the United States is very extensive, the purpose is to strengthen our military defense capability. Although President Tsai did not answer to the question of how many U.S. military personnel is in Taiwan at the present time, she only indicated “not as many as people think,” “details will not be discussed.” However, as a head of state and chief of combined forces publicly confirmed U.S. military’s presence in Taiwan still triggered a strong political effect.
CNN cited again yesterday the record of Pentagon revealing the number of U.S. military personnel in Taiwan has grown about thrice from 10 in 2018 to 32 in 2021. To this, Paul Buchanan, director of the 36th Parallel Assessments of New Zealand Security Consultant Company thought: the key point is not the number of American military personnel in Taiwan, but young people in Taiwan are unwilling to join military service. If this situation continues to deteriorate, the situation may inevitably change.
As to President Tsai’s confirmation of American military presence in Taiwan, will it increase the risk of war across the Taiwan Strait? Premier Su Tseng-chang expressed that good interaction between Taiwan and the United States would strengthen Taiwan’s military defense capability. Minister Chiu stressed that we should put effort to explain clearly if it created misunderstanding between both sides across the Taiwan Strait. “What we military can do, I have already conveyed; this is not U.S. military stationed in Taiwan but training assistance exchanges. As to how the other side judges, it is not what I can construe.”
Minister Chiu indicated that as usual we have exchanges with the U.S., we neither highlight nor conceal deliberately. There was no question of “under the table” or “over the counter”, things were done in due process. “Now that everyone is aware of it, it is inconvenient for me to make it clear on some messages.”
According to Legislator Johnny Chiang of the KMT, the "2021 PRC Military Power Report" published by Ministry of National Defense on September 1 clearly indicated seven reasons for mainland China to invade Taiwan, one of them being “foreign military stationed in Taiwan.” So national security officials clearly recognized that the presence of United States military personnel treads on Beijing’s red line. President Tsai vaguely confirmed to CNN that U.S. military personnel were present in Taiwan, while some media even reported this as U.S. military personnel "stationed" in Taiwan. National security officials did not clearly explain what message President Tsai intended to convey, letting the wrong public opinion ferment. Many wars in history broke out due to misjudgment, not to mention that cross-strait relations are at all-time lows.
Legislator Charles Chen of the KMT stated that U.S.-Taiwan military cooperation should not be publicized considering the sensitivity of U.S.-Taiwan cooperation and cross-strait relations. For example, many instances of U.S.-Taiwan military cooperation remained discreet during the previous administration of President Ma Ying-jeou from 2008 to 2016, for national security reasons. President Ma did not speak out, but President Tsai not only confirmed publicly but also played "mystery," only to increase tensions across the strait and undermine Taiwan's security. Legislator Chen called upon President Tsai to clarify immediately.
Spokesman Chang Chun-han of the Office of the President expressed that the position of Taiwan was very clear, on cross-strait relations Taiwan will not succumb to pressure while not act rashly with support. The national security and defense authorities have close control over the Taiwan Strait and regional situation. “As President Tsai so stressed, we were calm but alert,” the unilateral military provocative actions by China was the cause of insecurity in Taiwan Strait and this region. “We solemnly call upon China to exercise self-restraint.”
According to Chang, deepening U.S.-Taiwan relations was also crystal-clear, the United States repeatedly continued to take practical actions such as arms sales, high level official visit, vaccine assistance and resuming Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), and support of Taiwan’s international participation to express specifically its support of Taiwan was “rock-solid.”
In response, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, State Council, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Tsai’s remarks again exposed her stubbornness in contriving Taiwan independence; “China strong opposes any forms of official and military contacts between the United States and Taiwan, and opposes U.S. intervention in Chinese domestic affairs.”
From:
https://www.chinatimes.com/newspapers/20211030000348-260118