TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The US should clarify whether it will defend Taiwan in a cross-strait conflict, former head of the US Indo-Pacific Command Admiral Harry Harris said on Thursday.

Speaking at the 50th anniversary of the US think tank Pacific Forum, Harris said Washington should abandon its “strategic ambiguity” policy toward Taiwan, per Stars and Stripes. China has made it abundantly clear it intends to isolate and seize Taiwan, which is against American interests, he said; therefore, the US “should be equally clear, and we should never allow China to dictate America’s foreign policy with regard to Taiwan.” 

Harris said the US owes it to the Taiwanese to be clear on its stance. The people of Taiwan “ought to know so they can make the decision whether to arm up or capitulate,” he said.

Americans should also know whether US servicemembers “are going to fight and potentially die over Taiwan,” he said.

Strategic clarity would also demonstrate to Beijing that “if they invade Taiwan, they’re going to lose hundreds of thousands of Chinese soldiers and sailors and airmen and marines, whatever they have, in a pitched battle over Taiwan.”

Earlier this month, China launched a two-day large-scale military exercise around Taiwan, testing its joint operations and blockade capabilities. 

The Pentagon warned on April 9 that China aims to dominate the Indo-Pacific and replace the US as the world's foremost superpower. Chinese leader Xi Jinping (習近平) is preparing to invade Taiwan by 2027, it said.