Tsai Ing-wen calls for ‘normalisation’ of arms sales as Taiwan, US seek closer military ties
Taiwanese leader tells former US Pacific Fleet commander his visit ‘represents strong partnership between the two sides’
Taiwan and the United States are seeking to boost their military ties, with the self-ruled island’s President Tsai Ing-wen calling for “normalisation” of US arms sales when she met a former Pacific Fleet commander.
But a Taiwanese lawmaker and observers said any active exchanges with the US would be likely to start in a less sensitive area such as humanitarian relief efforts to avoid provoking Beijing, which has warned Washington against providing military support to Taipei.
Mainland analysts said Tsai was making every attempt to lift the island’s global status, while the US was “playing the Taiwan card”.
“[Mainland] China should be on high alert and be prepared for any moves that challenge its bottom line,” said Yu Keli, an expert on Taiwan issues at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
During a meeting with Admiral Scott Swift, who used to head the US Pacific Fleet, in Taipei on Friday, Tsai said Beijing’s repeated military drills near Taiwan were intimidating and that his visit “not only improves mutual military exchanges but also represents the strong partnership between the two sides”.