TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Michael S. Chase, the US deputy assistant secretary of defense for China, Taiwan, and Mongolia, reaffirmed American support of Taiwan’s efforts to improve its resilience at a Global Taiwan Institute forum on Wednesday (Oct. 16).
“The war in Ukraine has underscored that whole-of-society resilience can provide significant advantages against larger aggressors,” Chase said. He praised Taiwan’s establishment of the All-Out Defense Mobilization Agency and extension of military conscription under former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) and the creation of the Whole-of-Society Resilience Committee under President Lai Ching-te (賴清德).
The US is also “heartened to see” Taiwan increase its 2025 defense budget to 2.5% of its GDP, Chase said.
He said US defense cooperation with Taipei aims to “ensure that Taiwan remains secure, free from coercion” from China and to deter a potential Chinese attack. The US is committed to helping improve Taiwan’s defense and supports its efforts to boost asymmetric capabilities, he added.
Chase said Washington will continue to use various means to provide Taiwan with the necessary arms and equipment to defend itself, such as Foreign Military Sales, Presidential Drawdown Authority, and Foreign Military Financing. He also noted the “historic alignment” of countries backing a free and open Indo-Pacific and reiterated Washington’s pledge to work with allies and partners to uphold regional peace.
Chase’s comments follow China’s 13-hour Joint Sword-2024B military exercise around Taiwan on Monday. Chinese naval ships and military aircraft focused on sea-air combat readiness and tested joint operations capabilities.
Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder condemned the drills in a statement, calling them “irresponsible, disproportionate, and destabilizing.” Ryder said Taiwan Strait peace is a global concern and many countries are committed to upholding regional stability. “We will continue to work with allies and partners to advance our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, despite the PRC's destabilizing behavior,” he said.
