The United States urged both Taiwan and China not to escalate tensions regarding the February 14th, 19th, and 20th incidents near Kinmen Island. The U.S. State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, made the comments during the department’s press conference on February 20th. Miller called for both sides to show restraint and “no unilateral change to the status quo” regarding boundaries between China and Taiwan.
Miller also pointed out how the status quo led to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding region for decades. However, the spokesperson also called for China to “engage in meaningful dialogue with Taiwan” to reduce the potential for any miscalculation to occur.
However, he also said that the United States and other countries throughout the world do have an interest in “peace and stability” in the Taiwan Strait because of its potential impact on global security and prosperity.
Analysis
The comments by the U.S. State Department occurred a day before the Taiwanese military said they do not have any plans to currently assist the Taiwanese Coast Guard at Kinmen Island. The reason why the United States made the comments was to warn both China and Taiwan not to further escalate the situation. The comments are also a warning to both sides not to change the status quo of the region by unilaterally altering the Median Line or the prohibited or restricted lines around Kinmen Islands. The United States pointing out how the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait is a global problem also serves to remind China that any actions it carries out will negatively affect the world.