As per the new reports released by the Guardian, the United States of America has been secretary maintaining a small contingent of military trainers in Taiwan for at least a year. This comes as a latest sign of the rising stakes in the US-China rivalry.
Two Dozen US Special Forces Are Training Taiwanese Forces
As per the reports released by the Wall Street Journal on Thursday, around two dozens of the US Special Forces soldiers along with an unspecified number of marines are currently training the Taiwanese forces. The trainers were initially sent to Taiwan by the administration of former President Donald Trump. However, their presence had not been reported until now.
The above reports came after President Tsai Ing-wen said on Friday that Taiwan is willing to do whatever it takes to protect their freedom and democratic way of life. She informed the security forum in Taipei that as of now, Taiwan does not seek military confrontation, They hope for a peaceful, stable, predictable and mutually beneficial coexistence with their neighbours. However, they will also maintain their freedom and democratic living.
Generally, US troops have not been permanently based in the Taiwan since 1979 when Washington established diplomatic relationships with China.
Pentagon Supports Defense Relationship With Taiwan As Per Current US Administration
John Supple, Pentagon spokesman, had not commented on this directly. But he informed that their support and defense relationship with Taiwan remains aligned against the current threat from China.
Jacob Stokes, a fellow of the Indo-Pacific security programme of the Centre for a New American Security said that it is an important step but they primarily intend to not be provocative. They rather want to improve the defense capabilities of the Taiwan forces.
“There’s always this balance between symbolism and substance, and I think by doing it quietly it’s meant to be more substance,” said Stokes.
