Taiwan, Dec. 10 -- A U.S. State Department official warned Monday that allies of Taiwan who switch recognition to Beijing could be imperilling their sovereignty, citing risks such as debt and Chinese influence in domestic policymaking.

Speaking at the Global Taiwan Institute in Washington, Jennifer Spande, deputy director for Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands, reaffirmed the U.S. position that the Chinese campaign to steal Taiwan's diplomatic allies is a threat to stability in cross-strait relations.

Spande said the U.S. was not trying to dictate to anyone, but rather counselling prudence regarding the sovereignty issues involved in changes in policy by Taiwan's allies in the Pacific, so that the countries can remain "free from...