Taipei: Taiwan’s defense capabilities have significantly improved due to its strengthening security partnerships with the United States and other allies, although this collaboration is maintained discreetly, according to Defence Minister Wellington Koo. The democratically governed island, which China claims as its own territory, does not have formal treaty-based defense relations with Washington or its allies. However, the United States is legally obligated to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, and military officials from both sides engage in regular visits and training.
Beijing frequently expresses outrage at any indication of military ties between Taiwan and other countries, imposing sanctions on U.S. arms companies for selling weapons to Taipei. In a recent briefing to reporters, Koo acknowledged the sensitivity of these relations, making rare comments about them.
“In the past few years, Taiwan, the United States, and other friends and allies have continuously strengthened security partnerships and continued to expand and deepen military cooperation,” Koo stated. He emphasized that this collaboration has led to “the improvement of the national military’s combat effectiveness and regional peace and stability.”
Koo highlighted that the focus of this cooperation is on “substantively improving” combat effectiveness rather than mere formalities. “The Defence Ministry has never publicised this foreign military cooperation with great fanfare. This is to take into account the international situation and respect for our friends and allies; it is also to avoid unnecessary interference,” he added, subtly referencing China.
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China, which has not ruled out the use of force to assert control over Taiwan, has conducted regular military exercises around the island for the past five years. Following the inauguration of President Lai Ching-te, who has offered dialogue with China, Beijing staged “punishment” war games in late May, viewing Lai’s remarks as “separatist”. Lai insists that only the people of Taiwan can determine their future.
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The Republic of China, Taiwan’s official name, relocated to the island in 1949 after losing a civil war to Mao Zedong’s communists. Since then, no peace treaty or armistice has ever been signed.
