BREAKING: U.S. Sending 200 Troops To Taiwan For Training

As tensions rise with China, the U.S. is sending 200 troops to Taiwan for training according to the Wall Street Journal. The contingent will make up a much larger group than any other American military group which have trained in Taiwan before. In the past, training programs in Taiwan have included the National Guard, Special Ops, and U.S. Marines. A year ago, only around 30 American troops were stationed in Taiwan.

The Deployment

The Wall Street Journal reports that the new troops will make up the largest deployment of American forces to Taiwan in decades. They will be tasked with training the Taiwan military on U.S. weapon systems, as well as maneuvers to counter a potential offensive from China

Lt. Col. Marty Meiners, a Defense Department spokesperson, told Fox News on Thursday, “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.” “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.

It is reported that the troop increase has been planned for months, before China escalated tensions with the U.S. by flying a spy balloon over America.

The Conflict

According to Fox:

Taiwan split from China in 1949 after a civil war. The only connection between the two nations are billions of dollars in trade and investment. Mainland China does not recognize Taiwan independence and wants it to unite with the mainland.

“One of the difficult things to determine is what really is objectionable to China,” one of the U.S. officials told The Wall Street 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.”