Sherman talks signal firm US support for Taiwan but ‘no blank cheque’

Deputy secretary of state raised concerns with Beijing over ‘aggressive actions’ during visit to China

Analysts say this week’s meetings suggest relations between Taipei and Washington have ‘remained robust’

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US deputy secretary of state Wendy Sherman showed no sign of compromise on sensitive issues like Taiwan during talks on Monday. Photo: AP

Published: 6:00pm, 31 Jul 2021Updated: 9:40pm, 31 Jul 2021

Closer relations between Washington and Taipei look set to continue, with the US signalling firm support for the self-ruled island in this week’s high-level talks in China.

US deputy secretary of state Wendy Sherman showed no sign of compromise on sensitive issues like Taiwan in meetings with Chinese foreign vice-minister Xie Feng and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in the northern city of Tianjin on Monday.

Both sides laid out their grievances on Xinjiang and Hong Kong, and Beijing’s “aggressive actions” on Taiwan – which China claims as its own – as well as the South and East China seas.

But they did agree on “the importance of maintaining open lines of communication between our two countries”, according to State Department spokesman Ned Price. He said Sherman also told Wang that while the US welcomed “stiff competition” with China it did not seek conflict.

On Taiwan, Wang told Sherman that the island was part of China and called on the US not to infringe upon China’s sovereignty. “If Taiwan independence forces dare to provoke, China has the right to take any necessary measure to stop it,” Wang said, according to the Chinese foreign ministry. “We urge the US side to honour its commitment on the Taiwan question and act prudently.”

Wendy Sherman and Wang Yi meet in Tianjin on Monday. Photo: Reuters