Following the statement of support for Taiwan issued by the American Institute in Taiwan’s Taipei Office on April 1, US President Donald Trump's National Security Adviser John Bolton on April 2 (Taipei time) tweeted a strong response to the deliberately provocative incursion into the Taiwan Strait median line by Chinese air force. Bolton pointed out that “Chinese military incursions won’t win any hearts or minds in Taiwan, but they will strengthen the resolve of people everywhere who value democracy.” Bolton further reiterated that the US would uphold its commitment to Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA).
 
In addition, the US Department of Defense issued its own statement saying that “Beijing’s efforts to unilaterally alter the status quo are harmful and do not contribute to regional stability.” The Pentagon statement also said the US would abide by its firm commitment to Taiwan under the TRA, and called Taiwan a “reliable partner, a democratic role model, and a force for good in the world.” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) is sincerely grateful for these timely and supportive statements from US agencies responsible for Taiwan-related affairs, and for their denunciation of this rash action by Chinese military aircraft.
 
As a member of the international community, Taiwan’s government has maintained a consistent and unshakeable commitment to upholding regional stability and peace across the Taiwan Strait. And as a democratic country, Taiwan will do its utmost to protect the democratic freedoms and lifestyle that its people enjoy. MOFA once again calls on the international community to pay attention to and condemn Beijing’s provocative actions which endanger regional peace and stability. Our government will continue to strengthen our country’s self-defense capabilities while working together with the US and other like-minded countries to uphold peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and protect the rules-based international order.(E)