The United States is paying “close attention” to what China does.
As Chinese forces close in on Taiwan, the White House said Thursday that the U.S. is “very confident” in its ability to protect American interests in the Indo-Pacific.
This opinion was given to reporters on Monday by John Kirby, a spokesman for the National Security Council. China has been doing a lot of military training around the self-governed island all week. Over the weekend, they even pretended to attack the island.
A reporter wanted to know, “How does the U.S. feel about China’s recent military exercises, and is the U.S. sure that Taiwan, with help from the U.S., can continue to stop China from going to war?” “Rattle their sabers” is more than just words, as the saying goes.
In reaction to China’s harsh threats about Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s recent trip to the U.S., Kirby said, “As you might expect, we’re keeping a close eye on the exercises.”
He then said, “We are very comfortable and sure that we have enough resources and skills in the region to protect our national security interests in the Indo-Pacific.” I would also say that the fears across the Taiwan Strait do not call for an armed clash.
As of Sunday, the Chinese military had put 71 planes and nine ships in the seas around Taiwan.
This is in reaction to Tsai’s recent trip to the United States, where she talked with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. This was Tsai’s second meeting with a U.S. House speaker. It was also her seventh trip to the U.S. China did send warnings and threats before the trip, though.
Kirby said that China was panicking and used Tsai’s past trips to the U.S. and talks with U.S. leaders to back up his point.
McCarthy’s talk with Tsai was not out of the ordinary, so the White House approved it.