US President Joe Biden has signed a National Defense Authorization Act that has clauses calling for closer military cooperation with Taiwan. On Tuesday, Taiwan's foreign ministry thanked the US for continuing to work for the peace and safety in Taiwan.
The defense bill's sections 1246 to 1249 deal directly with Taiwan and suggest that the US invite, as appropriate, Taiwan to participate in the 2022 Rim of the Pacific Exercise, which is the world's largest international maritime warfare exercise. The exercises are hosted biennially by the US in Honolulu, Hawaii. Other participants include Australia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and the UK.
The act also calls on the U.S. secretary of defense to perform an annual assessment of issues regarding Taiwan, including intelligence, Taiwan's asymmetric defensive capabilities, and how the US could help make Taiwan less vulnerable to attack.
The bill also recommends that the defense secretary provide the congressional defense committees with a briefing before Feb. 15, 2022, on the feasibility and advisability of enhanced cooperation between the National Guard and Taiwan.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Joanne Ou says the US has shown steady support for Taiwan, not just through its words but also its actions. She says the strong partnership between the US and Taiwan will help protect peace, stability, and prosperity in the Taiwan Strait and Indo-Pacific region.
Link to Taiwan in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), 2022: https://www.ustaiwandefense.com/taiwan-in-the-national-defense-authorization-act-ndaa-2022/