China's forcible takeover of Taiwan would threaten the U.S.: MAC head

Washington, Sept. 12 (CNA) A safe Taiwan can help "Make America Great Again," and the United States' security and prosperity would be directly threatened if China took Taiwan by force, Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) head Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said on Friday (U.S. Time) in a speech at a think tank in Washington D.C.

"Taiwan has irreplaceable strategic importance, and a safe and prosperous Taiwan can help 'Make America Great Again,'" said Chiu, who was invited to deliver a speech at The Heritage Foundation, quoting a political slogan popularized by U.S. President Donald Trump.

In his speech titled "Maintaining the Peaceful and Stable Status Quo Across the Taiwan Strait is in Line with the Shared Interests of Taiwan and the United States," Chiu, Taiwan's top official on relations with China, said the island country's strategic importance is "closely tied" to U.S. interests.

Geopolitically, he said, Taiwan sits at the "core position" of the first island chain -- an arc running from Japan, through Taiwan and the Philippines, to Borneo, an island shared by Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

"Taiwan was on the front line against red China's expansion, and Taiwan is now on the first line facing the confrontation between the democratic camp and authoritarian camp," Chiu said.

If Taiwan were forcibly taken over by China, such a move would trigger a "domino effect" that would undermine the regional balance of power and "directly threaten the security and prosperity of the United States," he added.

Chiu then highlighted Taiwan's economic and technological clout, noting that the chipmaking powerhouse produces about 90 percent of the world's most advanced semiconductors and plays a key role in global artificial intelligence (AI) and information and communications technology (ICT) supply chains.

"If Taiwan's role in this were to be compromised, it would be a huge loss to the international community, especially the U.S. and its technology industry," he said.

A scholar of cross-strait relations before entering government, Chiu said Taiwan is a mature, free and democratic country whose democratic experience and achievements can "penetrate the border of China" and thus inspire people across the Taiwan Strait to "pursue freedom and a better life."

Pointing to the MAC's "rich experience" in dealing with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Chiu said Taiwan is willing to share its research findings with the U.S. as it looks for ways to respond effectively to "the many challenges posed by China's rise."

Asked whether Beijing's reported push for a U.S. shift on Taiwan -- from "not support" to "oppose" independence -- could emerge from a potential Trump-Xi meeting later this year, and how concerned Taipei was about such a change, Chiu said Taiwanese authorities "have always been happy to see" the U.S. and China engage in communication.

"We believe the exchanges can maintain the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," he added.

The speech at the Heritage Foundation was part of Chiu's visit to the U.S. from September 6 to 14, during which he met with executive-branch officials and members of Congress, including those on the House Select Committee on the CCP.

Committee Chairman John Moolenaar of the Republican Party said they discussed countering CCP disinformation and United Front activities, as well as strengthening U.S.-Taiwan security and economic ties.

During the nine-day trip, Chiu has also met think tank experts and members of Taiwanese communities in the U.S. MAC said the meetings will help "explain the government's cross-strait policy and encourage broader attention to Taiwan Strait issues."

Chiu's first visit to the U.S. since taking office in May last year has drawn criticism from China's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO), MAC's counterpart across the Strait.

In a regular news briefing on Wednesday, TAO Spokesperson Chen Binhua (陳斌華) said China "firmly opposes any form of official exchanges between the U.S. and China's Taiwan region."