Deputy Defense Minister Chen Yeong-kang says that Taiwan is working to join in the biennial RIMPAC Exercise.
The RIMPAC Exercise is the largest international naval warfare exercise in the world. The 2016 exercise is expected to commence in June or July. China has been invited to participate in this year’s exercise, sparking interest in whether Taiwan will also be invited.
Chen told the Legislature Monday that Taiwan has not received a formal invitation, but that Taiwan will not give up on efforts to join in the exercises. At the same time, Chen said that the defense ministry welcomes any development that contributes to regional peace.
Chen said that while the United States will have to weigh the pros and cons before deciding whether to invite Taiwan as an observer, the defense ministry remains optimistic about Taiwan’s chances of taking part.