Taiwan Affairs Office Criticizes William Brent Christensen; Scholars Say Beijing Overinterprets

(Central News Agency, Taipei-Beijing, July 8) The remarks made by American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director William Brent Christensen regarding Taiwan's drone industry have become a focal point of criticism at the Chinese mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) press conference today. Scholars believe that Beijing is maintaining its consistent "red line" stance on Taiwan, but is perhaps overinterpreting the situation.

Christensen stated on July 2 at the "Unmanned Vehicle Industry and Overseas Business Opportunities Forum," jointly organized by the Taichung City Government and the AIT, that the drone field has the potential to enter a "platinum age." Taiwan possesses talent, technology, manufacturing capabilities, and investment capital, and should seize the opportunity to invest, transforming Taiwan into a "beehive" full of drones that can effectively deter conflict. The United States is prepared to be a partner in realizing this vision.

Chen Binhua, spokesperson for China's Taiwan Affairs Office, today criticized Christensen with a series of negative remarks, demanding that the US "relevant institutions and personnel cease spreading 'erroneous remarks.'" Chen Binhua claimed that for some time, Christensen has "repeatedly stirred up trouble in the Taiwan Strait," "spread the fallacy of 'dialogue without preconditions,'" and "continuously spread 'porcupine' remarks and concocted the 'beehive' concept."

Wang Hong-jen, a professor in the Department of Political Science at National Cheng Kung University, told CNA that Christensen's remarks are "sensitive" in Beijing's view, raising Beijing's suspicions about US assistance in Taiwan's militarization. Consequently, Beijing is maintaining its consistent "red line" stance, using the TAO press conference to warn the US that "I have noticed everything."

Wang Hong-jen believes that Beijing's strong criticism of Christensen at the press conference represents an "overinterpretation." Christensen's attendance and speech at the Taichung drone industry forum appear to be primarily diplomatic support, considered normal and routine cross-strait interaction between Taiwan and the US.

Wang Hong-jen speculates that Beijing's strong reaction stems from the fact that Taiwan's drone industry has reached a certain level of maturity, and Beijing is concerned about further cooperation and breakthroughs between Taiwan and the US in the drone sector. Beijing also dislikes the message that Taiwan and the US are conveying to the international community about "Taiwan's self-protection capabilities achieving certain results," and does not want Christensen's remarks to carry an explicit endorsement.

Chen Binhua further claimed that Christensen's words and actions violate solemn statements made by US President Trump, undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and attempt to lead Sino-US relations and cross-strait relations in a very dangerous direction. Relevant US institutions and personnel should cease spreading "erroneous remarks" and stop sending "wrong signals" to Taiwan independence separatist forces.

Hung Yao-nan, an assistant professor in the Department of Diplomacy and International Relations at Tamkang University, analyzed for CNA that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) does not want Taiwan to possess self-defense weapons, hence Beijing's strong reaction when the AIT mentions related issues. In reality, regardless of the AIT's remarks, Taiwan should possess self-defense capabilities; this is the development direction Taiwan should pursue.

Hung Yao-nan believes that the CCP's criticism of the AIT through the TAO press conference is ostensibly aimed at the US, but the primary target of the warning is still Taiwan, expressing dissatisfaction with Taiwan's development of self-defense capabilities.

Following the "Chuan-Xi Summit" in mid-May, Christensen stated in a written interview with CNA that US policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged after the summit, and that the US highly values rebuilding the Taiwan Strait balance by strengthening Taiwan's self-defense capabilities. Regarding arms sales to Taiwan, the US has already conveyed its position to China. The US welcomes President Lai's reiteration of maintaining the status quo across the Strait and hopes Beijing will engage in exchanges with Taiwan's elected leaders without preconditions. (Editor: Chu Chien-ling / Lu Chia-jung) 1150708

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