China blasts Pentagon official's Taiwan visit, military ties February 21, 2023 at 10:54PM

China maintains that Taiwan is a part of its territory, and is prepared to use force to assert control over the island if necessary. China has increased its military and diplomatic pressure on Taiwan. The two sides became separated during a civil war in 1949, and the Communist Party of China has never held power over the island. The Pentagon spokesperson did not offer a specific comment on Chase's visit, but said that the US is fully committed to Taiwan.