US official: Strengthening Taiwan’s Deterrence from Operational Concept and Military Deployment

On July 25, 2024, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Affairs of the United States, Ely Ratner, responded to questions at a think tank event, stating that in enhancing Taiwan’s deterrent capabilities, the U.S. is focusing on operational concepts and military deployments. Taiwan has also strengthened its military and societal resilience, showing strong development trends in various aspects.

Ratner, along with Daniel Kritenbrink, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, attended a discussion at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) in Washington, D.C., where they answered questions.

Regarding the question of enhancing Taiwan’s defense capabilities through U.S.-Taiwan cooperation, Ratner emphasized the strength of the relevant deterrence, stating that “we work hard every day to maintain this state.” Additionally, as U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has repeatedly mentioned, the scenario of Taiwan being invaded is neither imminent nor inevitable.

In terms of maintaining deterrence, Ratner pointed out that the U.S. Department of Defense is enhancing its capabilities and developing innovative operational concepts to address the operational challenges faced in the Western Pacific region, making significant progress in this regard.

“We are making our forces deployed in the Western Pacific more dispersed, mobile, resilient, and lethal, all of which will contribute to deterrence.”

Ratner mentioned that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are relevant to the global arena, and it is evident through both private and public diplomatic activities on a daily basis. More and more countries have expressed the importance of maintaining stability in the Taiwan Strait. This is a crucial element in enhancing deterrence.

He stated that Taiwan can definitely play a role in strengthening deterrence, including enhancing its own resilience at both the military and societal levels.

Ratner expressed encouragement in the related developments, as Taiwan’s efforts involve its military ensuring it has appropriate plans, capabilities, and exercises to enhance deterrence and maintain peace and stability. He believes that there is strong momentum in various aspects of development.

He also reiterated the consistent U.S. stance on Taiwan, emphasizing continued support for the status quo and opposition to unilateral changes to it.

Ratner frequently attends think tanks to expound on defense policies. He served as Deputy National Security Advisor to then-Vice President Joe Biden from 2015 to 2017 and worked in the China and Mongolia Affairs Office at the State Department from 2011 to 2012. When Biden was a senator, Ratner was one of his staff members and previously worked as a professional staffer for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Recently, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that he would meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the ASEAN Ministerial Meetings in Laos. Kritenbrink mentioned that Blinken may express concerns to Wang Yi about the increasing pressure and coercion from China towards Taiwan.

(Source: Central News Agency)