Chronologies
China - Taiwan
Chronology from May 2021 to Aug 2021
: A US Navy destroyer and a US Coast Guard vessel sail through the Taiwan Strait, marking the eighth transit by the US military this year.
: Lawmakers from Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party pledge to support Taiwan’s addition to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership during first-of-their-kind security talks with parliamentarians from Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party.
: Annual survey by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs reports that “just over half of Americans (52%) favor using US troops to defend if China were to invade the island. This is the highest level ever recorded in the Council’s surveys dating back to 1982, when the question was first asked.”
: White House announces that the US will hold a democracy summit on Dec. 9-10, to which Secretary of State Antony Blinken indicated Taiwan would be invited. An editorial in China’s hyper-nationalist Global Times warns that Chinese combat aircraft will fly over Taiwan if President Tsai attends.
: Taiwan Ministry of Defense confirms that a French warship has anchored off Taiwan’s west coast in the Taiwan Strait.
: US Department of State notifies Congress of its intention to sell Taiwan 40 M109 self-propelled howitzers and precision guided munitions kits.
: Lee Yang and Wang Chi-lin win the Olympic Gold Medal in men’s doubles badminton for Taiwan, competing under the name Chinese Taipei.
: Taiwan Ministry of National Defense announces it has signed a $340.4 million contract for the MS-110 Mulitspectral Airborne Reconnaissance System to be deployed on its F-16s.
: Taiwan Navy official takes delivery of its second Tuo Chiang-class stealth corvette.
: US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin says during a speech in Singapore that China’s claims over the Taiwan Strait have no basis in international law, and that the US will enhance its capabilities to deter China, consistent with its commitments under the Taiwan Relations Act and the US one-China policy.
: Annual Investment Climate Statements issued by the Department of State praises Taiwan’s research and development capabilities.
: Morris Chang represents Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen at the annual summit of the Asia Pacific Economic Forum (APEC). He calls for international assistance in acquiring COVID vaccines for Taiwan and warns that “on-shoring semiconductor production will raise costs and slow innovation.
: Carlos Del Toro, President Biden’s nominee to be secretary of the navy, states during confirmation hearings that “It’s incredibly important to defend Taiwan in every way possible.”
: A US Air Force transport plane lands in Taiwan, reportedly in support of resupply for the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT).
: Japan issues its defense white paper containing an unprecedented emphasis on Taiwan.
: Sandra Oudkirk is announced as director of the Taipei Office of the American Institute in Taiwan. Most recently, Oudkirk served as US Senior Official for APEC and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. She succeeds Brent Christensen.
: Taiwan’s Central Election Commission announces that referendum balloting, originally scheduled for Aug. 28, will be delayed until Dec. 18 because of COVID concerns.
: During a speech in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party, Party General Secretary Xi Jinping reiterates the party’s commitment to peaceful reunification with Taiwan but also its readiness to use force to oppose Taiwan independence.
: Taiwan-US Trade and Investment Framework Agreement talks convene after five-year hiatus. Both sides express satisfaction while emphasizing the need for more progress.
: In its annual white paper, the American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan praises the Taiwan government for resolving a record number of challenges facing US companies during the past 12 months. Taiwan, AMCHAM says, is becoming a more attractive and easier market for American companies to do business.
: The US donates 2.5 million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to Taiwan, triple its previous pledged amount.
: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley downplays any immediate threat of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan in testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee.
: Ely Ratner, nominee for assistant secretary of Defense, promises that the US can deter and defeat China. He says that the US will continue to ensure that US defense cooperation with Taiwan is “commensurate with the threat” posed by China.
: A statement at the end of the European Union summit with President Biden says that the leaders “underscore the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and encourage the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues.”
: China flies 28 warplanes into Taiwan-controlled airspace, the biggest sortie of its kind since the Taiwanese government began publishing information about incursions last year.
: G7 summit communiqué calls for support for “peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait” and opposition to “any unilateral attempts to change the status quo and increase tensions.”
: Japanese and Australian foreign and defense ministers meet and issue a joint statement expressing concern over Chinese threats against Taiwan.
: Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois), Chris Coons (D-Delaware), and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), visit Taiwan arriving aboard a US Air Force transport plane.
: Annual meeting of the World Health Assembly convenes without Taiwan as observer or participant despite widespread public objections by officials of the US and other countries.
: Hong Kong authority suspends operation of its representative office in Taiwan.