US not ruling out joint arms production with Taiwan, said in Taipei the highest-ranking American diplomat there. He added that the need to defend the island is a top priority for US arms suppliers, Reuters reported. The US is the most important international supporter and arms supplier to Taiwan, despite the lack of official ties with the island, the agency recalled, quoted by BTA.
"The U.S. is currently working with many partners who are looking at expanding our joint production of military supplies, and I do not rule out Taiwan being one of those partners in the future," Raymond Green, the new director of the U.S. Department of Defense, told reporters. institute in Taiwan, who is perceived as the de facto US ambassador to Taiwan.
He also advocated maintaining a "strategic balance" in the region.
In recent years, China has stepped up its military and political pressure on democratically-ruled Taiwan, and in May conducted military maneuvers around the island after the inauguration of President William Lai, whom Beijing considers a separatist.
China has never shied away from using force to bring the island under its control, while the Taiwanese government has vowed to defend itself, rejecting Chinese claims to sovereignty.