Taiwan’s National Defense University and NATO have both confirmed that a NATO official visited Taiwan last March. That’s according to a report from The China Project released on Wednesday, which reported on the visit by commandant of NATO Defense College, Lieutenant General Olivier Rittiman. The NATO Defense College says the visit took place from March 27 to 31 as part of a normal academic exchange between defense universities.
Engagements between Taiwan’s defense university and their NATO counterparts are not entirely unprecedented. In the past NATO has acknowledged cooperation between Taiwan and the NATO Defense College, as well as the NATO School Oberammergau.
The National Defense University, speaking with CNA on Thursday, said that Rittiman had visited the university alongside members of a Czech delegation in March. While a press release from the university had previously announced the visit by the Czech delegation, Rittiman’s inclusion had not been disclosed.
Also on Thursday, the Defense Ministry announced that the United States will help Taiwan acquire an advanced data-link and radio system used by NATO. The ministry says the system, known as Link-22, is considered to be an upgrade to Taiwan’s current Link-16 system. The ministry adds it will allow for a direct data link with the U.S. military.