Source:
https://scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2080723/taiwans-call-realistic-defences-against-china-may-find
Comment/ Opinion

Taiwan’s call for realistic defences against China may find a sympathetic ear in the Trump White House

Michal Thim says even though Taiwan was not the focus of the latest talks with Beijing, the Trump team is aware that ties with Taipei and defence support are key to peace in the Western Pacific

Taiwan’s US-made F-16 fighter jets fly in formation while releasing flares during the island’s annual Han Kuang military exercises, in the southeast of Taipei in May 2007. Photo: Reuters

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has just concluded his first visit to China, the first high-level visit by a member of the new American administration.

Should appearances be trusted, meetings with Foreign Minister Wang Yi (王毅) and President Xi Jinping (習近平) proceeded with greater calm than the preceding rhetoric had suggested. Both sides discussed the forthcoming summit between Xi and US President Donald Trump, along with a number of thorny issues including the status of Taiwan, despite North Korea occupying most of the agenda.