US and Taiwan hold first defence industry forum as tensions with mainland China intensify
Inaugural event allows businesses to discuss areas for cooperation as self-ruled island seeks to enhance defence capabilities
The first Taiwan-US Defence Business Forum was held in Taiwan on Thursday amid tensions between China and Taiwan and between the two contending superpowers.
The forum, co-hosted by the US-Taiwan Business Council and the Taiwan Defence Industry Development Association, brought together companies from Taiwan and the United States to discuss opportunities for bilateral cooperation in the defence industry, including shipbuilding, cybersecurity and aerospace industries.
The event, which will be held in Taiwan in the first half of every year, attracted this year international weapons systems suppliers such as Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Cubic and BAE Systems.
In his opening remarks, Rupert Hammond-Chambers, president of the US-Taiwan Business Council, said Taiwan already has strong experience in the global technology supply chain, so “there is no reason that Taiwan should not enjoy considerable success” in the global defence supply chain.
He said drawing Taiwan into the global defence supply chain was important “not only just for Taiwan’s right to provide its own security, but also to create new opportunities for Taiwan companies in the global defence market.”