Taiwan’s defense minister stresses military strength

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo (顧立雄) emphasized the importance of enhancing the island's military strength and the critical role of Taiwan-U.S. military cooperation.

Speaking at the Legislative Yuan on Thursday (June 6), Koo highlighted the many aspects of military collaboration between Taiwan and the United States that are operational but not publicly disclosed.

Strengthening Self-Defense

During his report to the Foreign and National Defense Committee, Koo responded to recent statements by U.S. President Joe Biden in a Time Magazine interview, where Biden said he is "not ruling out using U.S. military force" to defend Taiwan. Koo's remarks underscored Taiwan's commitment to bolstering its self-defense capabilities in light of changing attitudes towards military support from the U.S.

Taiwan-U.S. Defense Industry Collaboration
The Taiwan-U.S. Defense Industry Forum held in Taipei saw the participation of nearly 30 U.S. defense contractors. This gathering sparked media speculation about its potential impact on Taiwan's defense procurement projects with the U.S. Koo clarified that the forum represented civilian industry cooperation and was unrelated to the Ministry of National Defense's procurement plans.

As Taiwan continues to navigate the complexities of international military cooperation and self-defense, Koo's statements and the ongoing defense industry collaborations highlight the island's strategic approach to security and diplomacy in the face of regional tensions.