In addition to a proposal for the two sides to have joint military exercises, strengthen security partnerships and modernise Taiwan’s security capabilities, it also calls for an increase in annual regional contingency stockpiles to include and support Taiwan.

“The [US] President may establish a regional contingency stockpile for Taiwan that consists of munitions and other appropriate defence articles” or “inclusion of Taiwan among other allies eligible for defence articles” one of the provisions says.

US-China ties set for further ‘turbulence’, former Chinese envoy warns

Chen, however, said despite the discussions, it was more important for Taiwan to have its own self-defence capability to help maintain peace and stability in the region.

“We must insist that the Republic of China [Taiwan’s official title] and the People’s Republic of China [Beijing’s official title] are not subject to each other,” he said.

Beijing regards Taiwan as its own territory that must be brought back under its control, by force if necessary. Like most countries, the US does not recognise Taiwan as an independent state but is opposed to any attempt to take the island by force – something Beijing has not ruled out.

The island’s defence ministry has been unwilling to reveal details about whether the US would build a weapons stockpile on the island or move weapons to be housed by nearby US allies, such as Japan, the Philippines or South Korea to aid Taiwan in case of an attack from the PLA.

Taiwan’s defence minister Chiu Kuo-cheng has said the island’s military has large weapon depots of its own but declined to provide details.

The Taipei-based United Daily News reported on Monday that Taiwan had a large number of ammunition depots all over the island.

Quoting unnamed sources, the report said the National Chung-shan Institute of Science and Technology – Taiwan’s top weapons builder – was constructing new missile depots at Dongshan munitions warehouse in Tainan on the south of the island, and Nanhu munitions warehouse in Hsinchu in the north.

Both missile depots would have the ability to withstand serious explosions, according to the report.

Chieh Chung, a senior security researcher at the National Policy Foundation, a think tank affiliated with Taiwan’s main opposition party, the Kuomintang, said a regional contingency stockpile was necessary to help Taiwan hold out during an attack.

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Taiwan residents living within sight of mainland China voice concerns over live-fire drills

Taiwan residents living within sight of mainland China voice concerns over live-fire drills

“But it would be risky to build it in Taiwan as Beijing would find it totally unacceptable and might use this as an excuse to launch an attack on Taiwan,” he said, adding it would also be difficult to keep the construction secret.

“The more appropriate way is to send the weapons from the American bases near Taiwan, such as Okinawa in Japan, and when there is a sign of possible PLA attack, the US can then send the weapons to Taiwan for help. This would not only help avert breaking Beijing’s red line but also demonstrate the American determination to come to Taiwan’s aid in the event of an attack,” Chieh said.

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He said a cross-strait conflict would involve the mobilisation of hundreds of thousands of PLA forces, a massive effort requiring time that was not likely to go undetected by the Taiwanese side.

“This will give both Washington and Taipei the necessary time to prepare and support Taiwan with the needed weapons through nearby US contingency stockpiles,” he said.