U.S. dismisses China's criticism of AIT director as 'baseless'

Washington, July 9 (CNA) The U.S. State Department on Thursday dismissed China's criticism of American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Raymond Greene as "baseless," saying he "fully represents the U.S. government's position."

The response came after China's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) criticized Greene over remarks he made at a drone industry forum in Taichung on July 2.

At the event, Greene said Taiwan should build a "hornet's nest" of drones to strengthen deterrence and that the United States was prepared to help make that vision a reality.

Responding to CNA's request for comment, a State Department spokesperson said on background that "China's accusations are baseless" and that Greene "fully represents the U.S. government's position."

The spokesperson said U.S. policy toward Taiwan "has not changed" and continues to be guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the three U.S.-China joint communiqués and the Six Assurances.

"Consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act and more than 45 years of commitment across multiple U.S. administrations, the United States supports Taiwan's acquisition of critical defense capabilities commensurate with the threat that it faces," the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added that the U.S. "continue[s] to urge Beijing to cease its pressure against Taiwan and instead engage in meaningful dialogue with Taiwan's democratically elected authorities without preconditions."

TAO spokesperson Chen Binhua (陳斌華) on Wednesday accused Greene of making "incorrect remarks" on Taiwan-related issues and urged relevant U.S. agencies and personnel to stop sending what Beijing described as "false signals" to "Taiwan independence separatist forces."