TAIWAN'S NAVY CHIEF TANG HUA TO VISIT US NEXT WEEK: REPORT

NEW DELHI: Amid heightening tension in the South China Sea and potential threat toward the island, Taiwan's navy chief Tang Hua is scheduled to visit the United States next week.

Tang will attend a military cceremony and discuss how to boost bilateral naval cooperation.

The six security sources told news agency Reuters that Tang would visit Hawaii, home of the US Indo-Pacific Command, for a Pacific Fleet change-of-command ceremony.

Three of them said Tang was then expected to attend the April 8-10 Sea-Air-Space conference near Washington and that talks were under way to arrange a meeting with the US chief of naval operations, Admiral Lisa Franchetti.

Taiwan and the United States share a cordial relationship, but unofficially, as Washington formally recognises Beijing and not the democratically governed Taiwan.

Taiwanese officials' visits to the US remain discreet compared to those of other allies like Japan and Britain. Despite the absence of official diplomatic or military ties since 1979, the US is legally obligated to assist Taiwan in its defense.

China's historical claim over Taiwan, dating back to the Civil War era, fuels tensions as China continues to bolster its military might, including expanding its navy with nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers. In response, Taiwan, under President Tsai Ing-wen's leadership, has been enhancing its defence capabilities, unveiling its own submarines.

Amidst China's increasing military pressure, Taiwan and the US have quietly strengthened their military cooperation over the years. Notable visits have included Taiwanese military officials attending defense conferences in the US and participating in joint security talks, all unconfirmed officially.

The recent visit of US deputy assistant secretary of defence David Helvey to Taiwan is part of a strategic effort to collaborate with Japan and others to counter China's military activities within the "first island chain."

The gradual deepening of military ties between Taiwan and the US highlights the shared interest in maintaining stability and deterring potential threats in the region. While official confirmations are sparse, the strategic coordination between these partners underscores the evolving security architecture in the Indo-Pacific.