WASHINGTON – United States special operations forces have been quietly training Taiwanese troops for months, risking the ire of China, said a Pentagon official yesterday.
A contingent of around 20 special operations and conventional forces has been conducting the training for less than a year, the official, who declined to be identified, told AFP, adding that some of the trainers rotate in and out.
The official largely confirmed a Wall Street Journal report that said the training has been going on for at least a year, amid China’s rising verbal threats against the US’ island ally.
Taiwan’s Defence Ministry declined to comment on the report, but Pentagon spokesman John Supple in a statement said generally speaking, US support for Taiwan’s military is gauged on its defence needs.
“Our support for and defence relationship with Taiwan remain aligned against the current threat posed by the People’s Republic of China.
“We urge Beijing to honour its commitment to the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait differences.”
Local media, citing the naval command, reported last November that US troops had arrived to train Taiwan’s marines and special forces in small-boat and amphibious operations.
But, those reports were subsequently denied by US and Taiwanese officials, who emphasised that the two sides are involved only in bilateral military exchanges and cooperation.
The US supplies weapons to Taiwan, including missiles for defence and fighter jets, amid Beijing’s threat to forcibly retake control of the island and reintegrate it with China.
The US also maintains an ambiguous commitment to defend Taiwan, which Beijing considers a renegade province.
A video released last year and featured in Taiwanese media showed US troops taking part in an exercise on the island dubbed “Balance Tamper”.
Chinese forces have stepped up their activities towards Taiwan in the past year, conducting sea assault exercises and flying large sorties of bombers and fighters close to Taiwanese airspace.
On Monday, Taiwan scrambled its own air force after a record 56 Chinese warplanes crossed into its air defence zone.
US State Department spokesman Ned Price called the Chinese activity “destabilising” and “provocative”.
“We strongly urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic and economic pressure and coercion against Taiwan,” he said, calling the American commitment to the island “rock-solid”. – AFP, October 8, 2021
