According to a source with knowledge of the situation, the chief of Taiwan’s National Security Council arrived in the United States on Friday to engage in discussions with President Donald Trump’s administration. This occurred just days after China concluded its war games in the vicinity of Taiwan.
Joseph Wu was the leader of a delegation for a conference that was referred to as the “special channel,” as the Financial Times previously reported. It was the first time that Trump utilised the channel since his return to the White House on January 20.
Earlier this week, the Chinese military concluded two-day war games in the East China Sea, during which it conducted long-range, live-fire manoeuvres around Taiwan. This marked an escalation of exercises around the island.
China has been condemned by Taiwan for conducting the exercises. The most significant international supporter and primary arms supplier of Taiwan, the United States, condemned the most recent exercises earlier this week, despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations.
Human rights, the origins of COVID-19, and trade tariffs, including measures implemented by Trump this week, have all contributed to the strained relationship between the United States and China. Taiwan is merely one example of the numerous areas in which tensions have arisen.
Taiwan also expressed its dissatisfaction with Trump’s tariffs this week, describing them as arbitrary.
Trump has also expressed his dissatisfaction with Taiwan’s acquisition of U.S. semiconductor business, stating that he would prefer the industry to relocate to the United States. The Trump administration’s support for Taiwan remains “very strong,” according to Taiwan’s senior security official.
Following U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s Asia visit, during which he repeatedly criticised Beijing, China has escalated its rhetoric against Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, referring to him as a “parasite” on Tuesday.
Requests for comment were not promptly addressed by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States or the White House.
China has repeatedly denounced Lai as a “separatist” and regards democratically administered Taiwan as its own territory. Lai, who was elected last year, denies Beijing’s assertions of sovereignty and asserts that Taiwan’s populace is the sole authority to determine their destiny.
Taiwan has been threatened by Chinese invasion since 1949, when the Republic of China government fled to the island after losing a civil war to Mao Zedong’s communists. Despite this, the two parties have not exchanged fire in anger for decades.
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