US warns China against trying to ‘coerce’ Taiwan after Shandong aircraft carrier passes near island
- State department urges Beijing to abstain from actions that would jeopardise the self-ruled island’s security
- China’s newest aircraft carrier passed through Taiwan Strait on Thursday in latest show of force ahead of presidential election
The US warned Beijing on Friday against trying to coerce Taiwan after China’s new aircraft carrier sailed through the Taiwan Strait in a show of strength that came two weeks before the island’s elections.
The deteriorating relations between the mainland and the self-ruled island – which Beijing regards as part of its territory – have been a key issue in the campaign for the January 11 presidential and legislative elections.
On Friday the US State Department called on China to “abstain from coercion that would jeopardise the security, or the social or economic system, of the people [in] Taiwan”.
It said: “The United States has a deep and abiding interest in cross-strait peace and stability. Taiwan is a reliable partner, a democratic role model, and a force for good in the world.
“We encourage authorities in Beijing and Taipei to engage in constructive dialogue that seeks a peaceful resolution of differences acceptable to the people of both sides of the Taiwan Strait.”
