TAIPEI, Reuters – China’s military and diplomatic pressures on Taiwan pose a threat for all democracies. The United States is determined to help the island defend its sovereignty, according to the U.S. top diplomat in Taipei.

Sandra Oudkirk of the American Institute of Taiwan, which manages relations without formal diplomacy, spoke late Wednesday at an American Chamber of Commerce event.

In remarks made public by her office Thursday, she stated that the PRC’s aggressive behavior was evident in Taiwan where they have continued to exert diplomatic, military, and economic pressure.

Oudkirk stated that the provocative military actions of the PRC near Taiwan were destabilizing, could lead to miscalculations, and threaten regional stability and peace.” Tsai-Ing-wen was also present at Oudkirk’s event.

Beijing’s continued efforts to encroach on Taiwan’s international space and pressure its friends as well as interfere in Taiwan’s democratic process are a danger to all democracies.

China claims democratically-governed Taiwan as its own territory, and has over the past two years or so ramped up military and diplomatic pressure to assert those claims.

Taiwan is the United States’ most significant international donor and arms supplier. This has caused friction between Washington, DC and Beijing.

Oudkirk stated that the United States is committed to Taiwan’s ability to “maintain it’s ability to deter aggression, and to defend itself” in order to increase Taiwan’s regional security role.

We share a deep and shared interest in the stability and peace of Taiwan Strait. This is a central element to security and stability in the wider Indo-Pacific region. We are concerned about the ongoing efforts by the PRC to subvert that stability.

Taiwan says China is wrong to claim sovereignty, and Taiwan insists that the people of Taiwan can determine their own destiny.

American companies have also worked with Taiwan to improve supply chains. Taiwan is an important producer of semiconductors.

Oudkirk stated that both parties were working to diversify supply chains, and facilitate investments in sectors such as chips, electronic vehicles, cybersecurity and 5G.

She said, “AIT’s Commercial Section is currently organising visits to many areas of the United States by strong industry-focused delegations this summer,” but did not give details.