Deputy Defense Minister General Chiu Kuo-cheng says that a US-China agreement aimed at avoiding military conflict will not impact the United States’ military cooperation with Taiwan.
During a meeting on Wednesday, US President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed that the US and China should inform each other of important military exercises. The two leaders also agreed on a code of conduct designed to prevent conflict when US and Chinese forces encounter one another at sea or in the air.
On Thursday, General Chiu told a meeting of the legislature’s defense committee that the US-China agreement will not affect military cooperation between the US and Taiwan. He said that the US remains bound by the Taiwan Relations Act, a 1979 act outlining the unofficial relationship between the US and Taiwan. The Taiwan Relations Act includes clauses regarding the provision of arms to Taiwan and the defense of Taiwan against external “force” or “coercion”.
General Chiu said that he believes the military partnership between the US and Taiwan will continue to remain strong regardless of external factors.