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The Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., issued a warning to Newsweek that U.S.-Taiwan military cooperation heightens the risk of conflict in the Taiwan Strait. This came in response to reports that hundreds of Taiwanese troops participated in an annual National Guard exercise ending on Saturday. The U.S. has been preparing Taiwan for potential Chinese invasion.
Newsweek reached out to the Pentagon, Michigan National Guard, and Taiwan’s de facto embassy in the U.S. for comments via email.
Beijing claims Taiwan as its territory and hasn’t ruled out using force to bring it under control. Tensions have risen sharply due to near-daily military sorties by China across the median line of the Taiwan Strait and increased major military drills aimed at punishing Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
While the U.S., like most countries, does not formally recognize Taiwan, it maintains robust economic and unofficial diplomatic ties with the island. The U.S. also remains its top arms supplier. In late 2022, Taiwan received Abrams tanks, HIMARS rocket systems, and other U.S.-made weaponry to bolster its defenses.
The article includes a photo of troops near Taipei Port during military drills.
This year’s Northern Strike exercise, hosted by the Michigan National Guard, drew over 7,500 participants from 35 U.S. states and territories and nine foreign militaries, including Taiwan with more than 500 troops. The Chinese Embassy spokesperson expressed “firm opposition” to such ties, stating that they would heighten cross-strait tensions and the risk of confrontation.
Colonel Todd Fitzpatrick, the land exercise director for Northern Strike, said it replicated an island environment. Bryce Barros, from GLOBSEC, called Taiwan’s participation significant, signaling regular force-on-force training between the U.S. and Taiwan.
Top defense and intelligence officials in Washington have warned that Chinese President Xi Jinping could move against Taiwan by the end of the decade. In December, Xi stated no force would stop unification with Taiwan, characterizing them as “one and the same family.”
This article was originally published on and .
