《TAIPEI TIMES》 US rebuts China’s criticism of AIT head

A sign outside the US Department of State in Washington is pictured in an undated photograph. Photo: Reuters

SUPPORT: The State Department defended Raymond Greene’s position and Taiwan’s acquisition of critical defense capabilities commensurate with the threat that it faces

By Hsu Yung-ching / Staff reporter, with CNA The US Department of State on Thursday dismissed China’s criticism of American Institute in Taiwan （AIT） Director Raymond Greene as “baseless,” saying he “fully represents the US government’s position.”

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office （TAO） had criticized Greene over remarks he made at a drone industry forum in Taichung on Tuesday last week.

At the event, Greene said Taiwan should build a “hornet’s nest” of drones to strengthen deterrence and that the US was prepared to help make that vision a reality.

Responding to a request from the Central News Agency for comment, a State Department spokesperson said that “China’s accusations are baseless” and that Greene “fully represents the US government’s position.”

US policy toward Taiwan “has not changed” and continues to be guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the Three US-China Joint Communiques and the “six assurances,” the spokesperson said.

“Consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act and more than 45 years of commitment across multiple US administrations, the United States supports Taiwan’s acquisition of critical defense capabilities commensurate with the threat that it faces,” the spokesperson said.

The US “continue[s] to urge Beijing to cease its pressure against Taiwan and instead engage in meaningful dialogue with Taiwan’s democratically elected authorities without preconditions,” the spokesperson added.

TAO spokesman Chen Binhua （陳斌華） on Wednesday said Greene made “incorrect remarks” about Taiwan-related issues, adding that he has “acted as if he were ‘power behind the throne,’ repeatedly weighing in on Taiwan’s political affairs and seeking to undermine forces opposed to Taiwan independence and committed to maintaining peace across the Taiwan Strait.”

Chen urged US agencies and personnel to stop sending what China described as “false signals” to “Taiwan independence separatist forces.

Democratic Progressive Party （DPP） caucus chief executive Chuang Jui-hsiung （莊瑞雄） yesterday said that Greene represents formal exchanges and cooperation between Taiwan and the US, not the “’power behind the throne” in Taiwan.

“The only party that has treated Taiwan as a subordinate and repeatedly issued demands on Taiwan has always been Beijing,” Chuang said.

What frustrates the Taiwanese public most is not China’s pressure campaign against the nation, which is expected, but that some people in Taiwan are eager to help Beijing push its agenda and undermine Taiwan, he added.

DPP Legislator Rosalia Wu （吳思瑤） said Greene’s remarks were grounded in facts and were fully justified.

In contrast, China has no standing to criticize others, as it has repeatedly weighed in on other countries’ domestic and foreign affairs and commented on Taiwan-US cooperation, she said.

China is the party that has infringed on the rights of other nations, she added.

Asked if China’s and the US’ differing views on Taiwan’s drone industry would affect the Chinese Nationalist Party’s （KMT） position on Beijing or Washington, a KMT official said: “The US and China have different views; we have no comment.”

Another party insider said that expanding the drone industry would benefit Taiwan, the US and China, adding that Beijing should not restrict drones solely to military applications and that Taiwan’s industry should not limit itself unnecessarily.

Maintaining close ties with Washington while promoting friendly relations with Beijing has long been the KMT’s established position, the person added.

Additional reporting by Liu Wan-lin 新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES