U.S. and Taiwan (2006)

U.S. Department of State

Taken Question
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
May 19, 2006
Question Taken at the May 19, 2006 Daily Press Briefing

Taiwan -- National Security Report

Question: What is the U.S. reaction to Taiwan's plans to release of its first National Security Report?

Answer: We have seen an outline, released by Taiwan earlier this week. We do not take a position on the report, which is the business of the people of Taiwan. It is appropriate that the people of Taiwan and their elected representatives should seek to define in a comprehensive way the security issues facing Taiwan.

U.S. policy is unchanged: We pursue our "one China" policy based on the three U.S.-PRC Joint Communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act. The United States does not support Taiwan independence and opposes unilateral changes to the status quo by either Beijing or Taipei.

We encourage Taiwan to boost its defense spending, concentrating in particular on immediate challenges of hardening and sustainability.