Chinese Invasion Remains Distinct Threat: Sullivan 白宮國安顧問專訪稱 中國侵台威脅顯著

U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan recently told Bloomberg Television during an interview that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan remains a "distinct threat" and the U.S. remains opposed to any effort to change the status quo by force. Meanwhile, a U.S. congressional delegation arrived in Taiwan on Sept. 7 and met with President Tsai Ing-wen a day later.

On Sept. 8, President Tsai Ing-wen received a bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation. The visitors were Representatives Stephanie Murphy and Kai Kahele from the Democratic Party, and Representatives Scott Franklin, Joe Wilson, Andy Barr, Darrell Issa, Claudia Tenney, and Kat Cammack from the Republican Party. In her speech, Tsai thanked the eight visitors for their past support of Taiwan and for visiting Taiwan in a show of support following Chinese military exercises, saying this shows the great bilateral relationship. Tsai said Taiwan will not succumb to threats and will work with democratic partners to jointly uphold regional peace and stability. She also expressed her hope that the bilateral trade relationship can deepen. 

Tsai Ing-wen, President: “We expect and have confidence in negotiating and signing a high standard trade agreement with the U.S. to facilitate the growth of bilateral trade. At the same time, we also hope to sign a double taxation avoidance agreement with the U.S. in the future, thereby creating a better investment environment. I hope the representatives present here can all support this.”

Stephanie Murphy, US Representative: “One of the most important things Congress can do right now is to deepen (the) economic relationship with Taiwan, in particular by pushing for a high quality free trade agreement between the U.S. and Taiwan. And I personally would like to see a Din Tai Fung in Orlando.”

Murphy also spoke about deepening bilateral relationships, and joked that she hopes Din Tai Fung can open a restaurant in the Orlando area. Meanwhile, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told Bloomberg Television that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan remains a "distinct threat." 

Jake Sullivan, US National Security Advisor: “I think it remains a distinct threat that there could be a military contingency around Taiwan and the People's Republic of China has actually stated as official policy that it is not taking the invasion of Taiwan off the table. The American position has remained steadfast and consistent and we will continue to push back against any effort to change the status quo by force.”

Sullivan also spoke about the "Taiwan Policy Act of 2022" introduced by members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He said it can effectively strengthen Taiwan's security although he has concerns about part of the content. There are reports that the White House is worried that this bill will conflict with the U.S.' "fuzzy" strategy towards Taiwan. Meanwhile, a delegation of five French senators visited the Legislative Yuan. There are reports that one of them tested positive for COVID-19 after arriving in Taiwan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it launched contingency measures in accordance with Central Epidemic Command Center regulations and this senator will participate in events virtually. The ministry also said this senator was not in close contact with other members of the delegation, so they will be allowed to follow their itinerary.

蔡英文8日接見美國眾議院跨黨派訪問團，包括民主黨的莫菲與凱希力，共和黨的法蘭克林、威爾森、巴爾、艾薩、譚妮以及凱茉可，蔡總統致詞時感謝8人過去對台灣的支持協助，還在中國軍演後來訪力挺，展現兩國的友好關係。蔡總統強調我國不會屈服於威脅，會與民主夥伴共同維持區域和平穩定，也希望台美強化經貿關係。

總統蔡英文表示：「我們期待也有信心和美國洽簽高標準的貿易協定，促成雙方的經貿發展，同時我們也希望未來能和美國簽署避免雙重課稅協定，為彼此打造更良好的投資環境，期盼在座的議員能夠一起來支持。」

美國眾議院軍事委員會情報特戰小組副主席莫菲表示：「國會立即能做的最重要事情之一，就是深化與台灣的經濟關係，特別是通過推動一項美國與台灣的高品質自由貿易協定，我個人希望能在奧蘭多看到鼎泰豐。」

莫非呼應強化兩國各項關係，她還笑說希望看到鼎泰豐能到佛羅里達州的奧蘭多開分店。台美持續穩定發展，不過美國白宮國安顧問蘇利文接受彭博社專訪時表示，中國入侵台灣威脅仍然顯著。

美國白宮國安顧問蘇利文表示：「這仍然是一個明顯的威脅，在台灣周圍可能發生軍事事件，中華人民共和國實際上已經表明他的官方政策不會排除入侵台灣，美國立場始終堅定不移，我們將繼續反對任何以武力改變現狀的作為。」

蘇利文也針對參議院外委會將審查的台灣政策法案表示，內容能有效強化台灣安全，但也對部分內容感到擔憂，傳出白宮擔心此案將牴觸過去對台戰略模糊政策。另外法國參議院5位跨黨派議員訪問團也在上午拜訪立法院，不過卻傳出其中一位參議員抵台篩檢時陽性確診。外交部表示依照指揮中心防疫規定啟動應變措施，將該名團員行程改為視訊進行，其他團員與確診者無密切接觸，所以繼續預定行程。