US to host bilateral defense conference with Taiwan
2 Min Read
Vincent Chao, a Taiwanese official, arrives in Washington ahead of the scheduled defense conference.
-
US and Taiwan flag in Los Angeles on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 (AP)
Vincent Chao, a prominent member of the Taipei City Council, has arrived in Washington, DC, to participate in the US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference, set to take place from October 1st to 3rd.
The conference venue, Williamsburg, Virginia, has become a focal point for high-level discussions surrounding the defense needs of Taiwan and the crucial aspects of national security.
Taiwan News, a leading news outlet, highlighted that this gathering aims to delve into the intricacies of US-Taiwan defense collaboration, exploring avenues for enhancing Taiwan's defense capabilities.
During his visit, Vincent Chao is expected to hold meetings with US think tank scholars and diplomatic representatives of allied countries (mainly European).
Hosting a Taiwanese official stands as an infringement on Chinese sovereignty such that it violates the one-China policy. Beijing regards the island as its province, opposes any official foreign contact with Taipei, and regards Chinese sovereignty over the island as indisputable.
Read more: Taiwan to receive $345 million military package from US through PDA
Earlier this month, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Regional Security Mira Resnick said that delays in contracts for weapons committed to Taiwan worry the United States.
"The delays that we have seen in contracting are of concern...we will need to improve contracting times to be able to address any delays in the process," Resnick told the House Armed Services Committee.
The Biden administration has been collaborating with the US defense industry to increase the manufacturing of weapons for Taiwan, Resnick added.
Read more: 55 Chinese warplanes detected around Taiwan: Taipei
