The United States (US) troops have secretly been training in Taiwan “for at least a year,” the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Thursday.
Citing unnamed US officials, the WSJ report stated that roughly two dozen members of US special operations and support troops have been training small units of Taiwanese ground forces amidst rising Chinese aggression against the self-governing island. In addition, a contingent of the US Marines has also been helping local maritime forces with small-boat training.
Reuters later cited two sources familiar with the matter saying that the trainers had been deployed to Taiwan on a temporary and rotational basis.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the sources declined to say when the training first began but suggested that it had started prior to Joe Biden taking office in January.
The Pentagon has not confirmed or denied the report. Spokesperson John Supple only said that the US support for Taiwan’s military is based on its defence needs.
“Our support for and defence relationship with Taiwan remains aligned against the current threat posed by the People’s Republic of China… We urge Beijing to honour its commitment to the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait differences,” Supple said in a statement.
The Taiwanese Defence Ministry also declined to comment on the WSJ report and issued a general statement to Reuters saying that “all military exchanges are carried out in accordance with annual plans”.
Washington officially holds the “one-China” policy, which recognises China’s status as the sole legitimate government of Taiwan and thus prevents the US from acknowledging that Taiwan is independent of China. In addition, the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) is considered to be the “cornerstone” of the US’ ties with Taiwan, the terms of which require the US to provide the island with the means to defend itself in case Taiwan’s peace is threatened.
Taiwan, which is claimed by Beijing as part of its own territory, has been complaining of increasing Chinese incursions into its airspace and waterways over the past two years. Tensions between the two have escalated to an all-time high over the past week, with Beijing flying almost 150 aircraft into the island’s air defence identification zone all week.
Taiwan has also been taking precautions on its own by expanding its defence budget every year. The ministry’s draft spending proposal was sent to Parliament for review on Tuesday. The document outlines that 64% of the money will be spent on anti-ship weapons such as land-based missile systems, alongside mass-producing home-grown missiles and “high-performance” ships.
The latest report reiterates the US’ commitment to protecting Taiwanese freedom.
US Troops Have Been Secretly Training Taiwanese Forces For a Year: Report
Sources familiar with the matter declined to say when the training first began but suggested that it had started prior to Joe Biden taking office in January.
October 8, 2021
SOURCE: FOX NEWS