In US, Taiwan minister warns of 'domino effect' if China takes island

Chiu Chui-cheng, the cabinet-ranked head of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, told the Washington-based Heritage Foundation that China's ruling Communist Party had long refused to renounce the use of force against democratically governed Taiwan, which it considers part of its territory.

Chiu said that in seeking "unification with Taiwan," China aimed to exclude U.S. influence from the Asia-Pacific and ultimately replace the United States as the global leader "in order to restore national glory and realize the so-called 'China Dream.'"

He added that Beijing "has been actively preparing for war" and highlighted stepped-up Chinese military activity around the island.

"If Taiwan were to be taken over by China by force, it will trigger a domino effect, undermine the regional balance of power, and directly threaten the security and prosperity of the United States," Chiu said.

China said earlier on Friday that its newest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, had sailed through the Taiwan Strait, a ship which once it enters service will enable the country to project power further out into the Western Pacific.

The United States is Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, and Chiu said Taipei appreciated the reaffirmation of that commitment under President Donald Trump.

He highlighted that Taiwan, the world's leading producer of cutting-edge computer chips, is the hub of the global high-tech industry.

"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.

Taiwan's government rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims, saying only the island's people can decide their future.

Visits by senior Taiwanese officials to the United States are rare compared with visits by major U.S. allies, and their trips are generally much lower profile.

China's Washington embassy said Beijing stood ready "to work with the greatest sincerity and exert utmost efforts to achieve peaceful reunification" with Taiwan.

"Meanwhile, China will take all necessary measures to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and firmly oppose 'Taiwan independence' separatism and external interference," its spokesperson Liu Pengyu said in an emailed response when asked about Chiu's remarks.

Shortly before Chiu's speech, China's military condemned the sailing of a U.S. and British warship through the Taiwan Strait.

The U.S. Navy and, on occasion, ships from allied countries including Canada, Britain and France transit the strait, which they consider an international waterway, around once a month.

China says the strategic waterway is part of its territorial waters.