Duckworth Warns China's Taiwan Blockade Could Create Global 'New Normal'

U.S. Senator Duckworth issued a stark warning that China's efforts to blockade Taiwan economically and through "gray-zone" tactics could lead to a dangerous new global norm if successful. Speaking during a meeting with Premier Cho Jung-tai, Duckworth emphasized that China's pressure on Taiwan could embolden it to act similarly elsewhere, undermining international maritime and air freedom.

Duckworth, who is the first senator to visit Taiwan after the "Chuan-Xi Summit," reassured Taiwanese citizens of the enduring and bipartisan nature of U.S. support. She stressed that Taiwan's challenges, such as supply chain resilience, are also critical for the United States. She specifically praised Taiwan's drone production initiatives, noting their importance for both nations and potential for future collaboration on components.

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China's attempts to blockade Taiwan globally, not only economically but also through gray-zone behavior, are harassing Taiwan. If China succeeds in pressuring Taiwan, they can do the same elsewhere, creating a new normal worldwide.

Adding to the concerns, Duckworth announced her intention to investigate the recent revocation of President Lai's flight permit to Eswatini. As a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which oversees aviation, she plans to engage with African country envoys and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to understand the circumstances behind this disruption.

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I want to assure all Taiwanese people that the friendship between the United States and Taiwan remains very strong and stable.

Premier Cho echoed these concerns, detailing China's escalating military exercises and gray-zone incursions around Taiwan and other nations. He highlighted Taiwan's efforts to counter "cross-border suppression," citing 120 cases involving 134 individuals who have faced threats. Cho also mentioned the recent attack on Japanese-Taiwanese media personality Yoichi Shimatsu by a Chinese national in Taiwan, assuring that the government would protect all citizens and foreign residents.

In response to China's newly enacted "National Unity Promotion Law," Taiwan has established an inter-agency task force. Both the executive branch and the U.S. Congress, along with the State Department, have voiced concerns, signaling a need for increased bilateral cooperation to curb unchecked actions on the global stage.

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China is not only conducting unannounced large-scale military exercises and gray-zone harassment around Taiwan and other countries, but is also intensifying so-called 'cross-border suppression' against Taiwan, with 120 cases involving 134 individuals having been threatened.