US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin today criticized the "intimidating behavior" of the People's Republic of China after Taipei accused Beijing of having a large naval detachment in the Taiwan Strait.
Austin was speaking in Tokyo in the presence of his Japanese counterpart.
"We are clear about the challenges to peace and stability in this region (Asia-Pacific) and in the world. This includes Beijing's intimidating behavior in the South China Sea and elsewhere in the region," said Lloyd Austin.
Taipei accused the People's Republic of China of having sent a naval detachment close to Taiwan's territorial waters.
An unidentified US administration official told Agence France Presse that there were "nearly 90 ships" present.
A spokeswoman for Taiwan's Defense Ministry said the number was "higher" than that seen during military maneuvers carried out by Beijing in August 2022 in response to a visit to Taipei by Nancy Pelosi, then Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.
Austin also pointed to Russia's "reckless war of choice in Ukraine" and "support by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) for Moscow's war," as well as other Russian activities that he considered destabilizing and provocative.
The defense secretary also said that Washington maintains "a commitment to deterrence (...) alongside Japan and the Republic of Korea (South Korea)" that he said was unwavering.
Austin is making his 13th and likely final visit to Asia as defense secretary before Donald Trump returns to the U.S. presidency in January.
"We face these challenges with confidence and determination and remain committed to advancing our historic trilateral cooperation," he said.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump plans to replace Lloyd Austin with Pete Hegseth, a former military officer turned Fox News host.
Japanese Defense Minister General Nakatani said the security situation in the region was becoming "increasingly serious," thanking Austin for his commitment to "deterrence" as part of the Japan-U.S. alliance.
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