US plans to drastically boost troop deployment to Chinese Taipei: Reports

The United States plans to drastically boost the number of American military troops deployed in Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), at a time of heightened tensions between Washington and in defiance of China’s warning against such deployments to the self-ruled island, according to reports.  

Citing unnamed US officials, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that the deployment of American troops to the self-ruled island is to take place in the coming months.

The US troop troops, which included special-operations forces and Marines, will train Taiwanese forces on military maneuvers as well as on American weapons systems, the Journal said.

Under the “One China” policy, nearly all countries across the globe recognize Beijing’s sovereignty over Taiwan, including the US, which has no formal diplomatic ties with the territory but continues to support its anti-China stance and supply it with massive amounts of armaments.

The United States, too, claims commitment to that principle, but in violation of its own stated policy and in an attempt to antagonize Beijing, Washington has courted the secessionist government in Taipei, supporting its anti-China stance, and supplying it with a large cache of weaponry.

Tensions over the self-ruled island intensified following a provocative visit there in August 2022 by Nancy Pelosi, the then-speaker of the House of Representatives. It prompted large-scale Chinese military drills around the island territory as well as a declaration by US President Joe Biden to defend Taiwan.

Record US military spending bill, aid to Taiwan anger China

China has blasted the US passing of a defense authorization law that boosts military assistance for Chinese Taipei.

In defiance of China’s warnings, Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen said earlier this week that Chinese Taipei would boost military exchanges with the United States.

"Going forward, Taiwan will cooperate even more actively with the United States and other democratic partners to confront such global challenges as authoritarian expansionism and climate change," he said Tuesday, without providing details.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin accused Taiwanese leaders of "provocation," warning that "any futile separatist conspiracy or scheme relying on foreign forces to undermine cross-strait relations will only backfire and never succeed."

"One of the difficult things to determine is what really is objectionable to China," one of the US officials told the Journal about the planned troop deployment. "We don’t think at the levels that we’re engaged in and are likely to remain engaged in the near future that we are anywhere close to a tipping point for China, but that’s a question that is constantly being evaluated and looked at specifically with every decision involving support to Taiwan." 

A US official familiar with the planning also confirmed to Fox News on Thursday that the US military is preparing to send 100 to 200 troops to Taiwan for training amid rising tensions with China. 

"We don't have a comment on specific operations, engagements, or training, but I would highlight that our support for, and defense relationship with, Taiwan remains aligned against the current threat posed by the People’s Republic of China," Lt. Col. Marty Meiners, a Defense Department spokesperson, told Fox News on Thursday. 

"Our commitment to Taiwan is rock-solid and contributes to the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and within the region," he added. 

US general predicts war with China in 2025, tells officers to get ready

A four-star US Air Force general has warned of a possible military conflict with China over Taiwan as early as 2025.

A four-star US Air Force general has warned of a possible military conflict with China over Taiwan as early as 2025.

In a memo released to the media last month and confirmed by the Pentagon, Air Mobility Command chief Gen. Mike Minihan said, “I hope I am wrong. My gut tells me will fight in 2025.”

The primary goal should be to deter and, if necessary, to defeat China, Minihan added.

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