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The de facto US ambassador to Taiwan has warned that any conflict over the island would be disastrous, reaffirming Washington's role as Taiwan's principal international backer and arms supplier despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations. The comments come amid persistent tension between Taiwan and China. The warning underscores the delicate balance the US maintains in supporting Taiwan militarily and diplomatically while avoiding direct provocation of Beijing, a dynamic that remains central to regional security in the Asia-Pacific.