CaliToday (23/10/2025): Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) announced on Wednesday that it intends to significantly bolster military cooperation with the United States, signaling a move to formalize and expand a partnership crucial to the island's defense.
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| Kinmen Defense Command conducts drills simulating real combat scenarios. (Kinmen Defense Command photo) |
In a new report sent to Parliament, the ministry outlined plans that include increasing reciprocal visits and observing military exercises. The stated goal, according to a Reuters report, is to "jointly maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait."
The announcement comes as Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, faces a relentless campaign of military and political pressure from Beijing.
While the United States, like most nations, does not have official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, it remains the island's most important international supporter. Critically, U.S. law obligates Washington to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, a policy that has long been a major source of tension between Washington and Beijing.
A 'Multi-Level' Strategic Partnership
The MND report, submitted ahead of Defense Minister Wellington Koo's scheduled testimony before lawmakers on Thursday, frames the United States as a "key strategic partner."
"Our armed forces continue to strengthen communication channels with the United States and promote multi-domain, multi-level cooperation in defense and security," the report stated.
It explicitly maps out a more ambitious future for the relationship, noting, "In the future, we intend to gradually expand and deepen bilateral cooperation."
This cooperation, while rarely acknowledged publicly due to its political sensitivity, is already robust. The relationship has traditionally been kept "low-key" and out of the public eye to avoid provoking Beijing. This includes extensive programs such as the training of Taiwan's F-16 fighter pilots at U.S. Air Force bases in Arizona.
The new proposal to increase reciprocal visits and joint observation of drills suggests a shift toward a more visible and formalized partnership.
A Response to Escalating Pressure
Taiwan's move to publicize its intentions is a clear response to what it has long described as escalating aggression from China. Beijing has intensified its "gray-zone" warfare, including near-daily incursions by warplanes into Taiwan's air defense identification zone and frequent, large-scale military exercises that effectively encircle the island.
By seeking deeper ties with Washington, Taipei is signaling its resolve to build a more credible deterrent against a potential invasion and solidify its alliance with its most powerful backer.