Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday (Jun 11), US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said the US remains firmly committed to its one-China policy and "categorically oppose any unilateral changes from either side". "We do not support Taiwan independence," he stated.

But he said China's moves threaten to undermine security and stability in the Indo-Pacific. He said the US will stand by its friends as they uphold their rights and "that's especially important as the PRC adopts a more coercive and aggressive approach to its territorial claims," he added.

"We witness a steady increase in provocative and destabilising military activity near Taiwan and that includes PLA aircraft flying near Taiwan in record numbers in recent months and nearly on a daily basis," Mr Austin said.

Outlining the US' Indo-Pacific strategy, Mr Austin said: "We do not seek confrontation or conflict. We do not seek a new Cold War, an Asian NATO or a region split into hostile blocs. We will defend our interest without flinching. But we will also work toward our vision for this region - one of expanding security, one of increased cooperation and not one of growing division."

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