US risks retaliation with defence talks on Taiwan, Chinese analysts warn
Meetings on the island between American and Taiwanese officials would compound tensions brought on by the passage of two US bills, observers say
Another potential flashpoint for Sino-US relations is looming with plans for Taiwan to host a conference with American defence industry representatives for the first time in 16 years, mainland Chinese analysts have warned.
The annual US-Taiwan defence industry conference has long been a platform for Taiwan and the United States to discuss arms sales and has been held in the US for the last decade-and-a-half to avoid provoking Beijing, which claims sovereignty over the island.
But a Taiwanese military source confirmed to the South China Morning Post on Tuesday that Taipei and Washington agreed last year that from 2018, they would take turns to host the event and the conference would now take place twice a year.
The move is set to provoke Beijing and aggravate tensions in Sino-US ties brought on by US President Donald Trump’s decision in December to sign the National Defence Authorisation Act strengthening military ties with Taipei.
In addition, the Taiwan Travel Act, which would allow US officials at all levels to travel to Taiwan to meet their counterparts on the island, will soon be sent the floor of the Senate for passage after clearing the House of Representatives.