Taiwan warns China ‘preparing for war’, says fall of island will trigger ‘domino effect’

Taiwan’s top China policymaker warned in Washington on Friday that Beijing is preparing for war to forcibly retake the island, a move he said would set off a “domino effect” in the region and endanger U.S. security.

Chiu Chui-cheng, head of Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, told the Heritage Foundation that China’s ruling Communist Party has consistently refused to renounce the use of force against Taiwan, which it claims as its own.

“Beijing has been actively preparing for war,” Chiu said, pointing to stepped-up Chinese military manoeuvres 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.”

The United States remains Taiwan’s most important international supporter and arms supplier, despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations. Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, insisting that only its people can decide the island’s future.

While senior Taiwanese officials visit the United States, such trips are much rarer than for major U.S. allies and generally much more low profile.

China’s embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Chiu’s remarks.

On Thursday, Chiu spoke to the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party on countering Chinese disinformation and strengthening Taiwan-U.S. ties, committee chairman John Moolenaar wrote on X.