US Official Says Risk of China-Taiwan Conflict Lower Than Previously Stated – TaiwanPlus

A senior US State Department official says the risk of Chinese military action against Taiwan may be lower than some previous assessments have suggested. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Michael DeSombre told CNBC that Chinese leader Xi Jinping has said he wants China to be in a position to reunify Taiwan by 2027, but has not said he would do so by that date. DeSombre described Xi as a rational actor and argued that strong deterrence and the prospect of substantial consequences can help prevent conflict. His comments come as US President Donald Trump has yet to approve a proposed US$14 billion arms package for Taiwan.