Next week, Taiwan’s naval leader Tang Hua will visit the US: Report

NEW DELHI: Taiwan’s naval leader Tang Hua is set to visit the US next week amidst escalating tensions in the South China Sea and possible threats to the island.

Tang will talk about ways to improve bilateral naval cooperation while attending a military ceremony.
Tang will go to Hawaii, the location of the US Indo-Pacific Command, for a Pacific Fleet change-of-command ceremony, according to the six security sources who spoke with news agency Reuters.

According to three of them, negotiations were underway to set up a meeting with Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the US commander of naval operations, and Tang was then scheduled to attend the Sea-Air-Space conference in the Washington region on April 8–10.
Although Washington technically acknowledges Beijing and does not democratically control Taiwan, the two countries have friendly ties.
Compared to other allies like Japan and Britain, Taiwanese officials’ travels to the US are still under wraps. Even though the US and Taiwan haven’t had formal diplomatic or military relations since 1979, the US is constitutionally required to support Taiwan’s defence.
Tensions are exacerbated by China’s historical claim to Taiwan, which dates back to the American Civil War. China is building up its military might and has added aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines to its fleet. As a result, Taiwan has been improving its defensive capabilities and revealing its own submarines under the direction of President Tsai Ing-wen.
Over the years, Taiwan and the US have subtly increased their military cooperation in the face of mounting military pressure from China. Notable trips have included unverified reports of Taiwanese military officers visiting defence seminars in the US and taking part in collaborative security discussions.
The US deputy assistant secretary of defence, David Helvey, recently visited Taiwan as part of a strategic initiative to work with Japan and other allies to oppose China’s military actions inside the “first island chain.”
Taiwan and the US have a common goal of preserving stability and thwarting any threats in the area, as seen by the progressive strengthening of their military relations. The strategic cooperation between these allies highlights the changing security landscape in the Indo-Pacific, notwithstanding the dearth of official confirmations.