Taiwan's combat effectiveness has improved thanks to Taiwan's deepening partnership in this area with The US and other friends and "allies", but this is deliberately kept quiet, the island's defense minister said, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
Democratically ruled Taiwan, which China claims as its territory, has no treaty-based defense relationship with Washington or any of its allies, although the US is legally required to provide Taiwan with funds to defense and military officials from both countries exchange visits and training.
To reporters yesterday, Defense Minister Wellington Co made rare comments about the relationship, given its sensitivity.
"Over the past few years, Taiwan, the US and other friends and allies have continuously strengthened security partnerships and continued to expand and deepen military cooperation,” he said. "This has contributed to improving national combat effectiveness and regional peace and security."
Cooperation focuses on "substantial improvement” of combat effectiveness, and is not just “formal“, Ko.
said