Washington: Taiwan has warned that a Chinese takeover of the island would trigger a destabilizing domino effect across the Asia-Pacific region, directly threatening U.S. security and global economic stability.

During his visit to the United States, Chiu Chui-cheng, head of Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, cautioned that Beijing is actively preparing for war as part of its plan to forcibly unify Taiwan.

He stressed that China’s goal is not only to absorb Taiwan but also to push American influence out of the region and eventually replace the United States as a global leader.

Chiu underlined the importance of Taiwan’s semiconductor and high-tech industries, saying any disruption caused by a Chinese invasion would reverberate worldwide. “The fall of Taiwan would be a severe blow to the global supply chain and to the security and prosperity of the United States,” he said.

The warning came as tensions in the Taiwan Strait escalated further. China denounced a joint U.S.-British naval passage through the strait, insisting it was part of Chinese territory.

Washington and its allies view the waterway as international and crucial for freedom of navigation.

Meanwhile, Taiwan has updated its civil defense handbook to prepare citizens for crisis scenarios, urging the public to treat any announcements of surrender during conflict as false information.

Authorities are also stepping up patrols around undersea communication cables after a series of suspected sabotage incidents involving China-linked vessels.

In Europe, diplomatic rivalry between Taipei and Beijing is playing out as Taiwan’s foreign minister visits the Czech Republic while his Chinese counterpart makes a parallel tour of other European countries.

Regional analysts warn that Taiwan’s security is increasingly tied to global stability. Observers say that a successful Chinese takeover could weaken trust in U.S. commitments to its allies, embolden Beijing in territorial disputes, and disrupt global markets reliant on Taiwan’s advanced technology.