[ Nikkei Asia ] US does not support Taiwan independence: Kurt Campbell

 U.S President Joe Biden’s point man on Asia is “astonished” by China’s determination to play the leading role on the global stage and will “step up” its engagement in Southeast Asia to hold back such a trend. But the administration does not support Taiwan independence and understands the sensitivities involved, Indo-Pacific Coordinator Kurt Campbell said Tuesday.

Campbell’s remarks at the Asia Society, are his first public comments since President Xi Jinping’s July 1 speech celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party, in which the Chinese leader called the reunification of Taiwan “a historic mission and an unshakable commitment” of the party. 

“We support a strong unofficial relationship with Taiwan. We do not support Taiwan independence,” Campbell said in response to a question from the moderator asking “how much love is too much?” when it comes to stronger relations with the island.

“We fully recognize and understand the sensitivities involved here,”  he said. “We do believe that Taiwan has a right to live in peace. We want to see its international role, particularly in areas like vaccines and issues associated with the pandemic, they should have a role to play here, they should not be shunned in the international community.”

The Biden administration, meanwhile, will “step up our game substantially” with regards to Southeast Asia diplomacy, understanding that engagement with that region is key to successful Indo-Pacific policy, Campbell said. 

“We recognize fully that really for an effective Asia strategy, for an effective Indo-Pacific approach, you must do more in Southeast Asia,” Campbell said.