TAIPEI, — Taiwan’s Defence Minister Wellington Koo has said the island’s military cooperation with the United States Pacific Command is closer than many people realize, highlighting expanding defence exchanges as Taipei strengthens its military preparedness in response to increasing pressure from China.
Speaking to a small group of reporters on Friday, Koo said Taiwan continues to deepen military cooperation with Washington at multiple levels to improve its defensive capabilities.
“Our cooperation with the United States may be far closer than many people imagine,” Koo said. “We continue to enhance our defensive combat capabilities through military exchanges and cooperation with the Pacific Command at all levels.”
He thanked the United States for its continued support, describing the defence partnership as an important contributor to Taiwan’s military readiness.
Koo said the U.S. Pacific Command considers Taiwan a critical part of the First Island Chain—the strategic arc stretching from Japan through Taiwan to the Philippines—which plays a central role in maintaining peace and security across the Indo-Pacific region.
According to the minister, continued military exchanges have enabled Taiwan to improve its operational capabilities and preparedness amid evolving regional security challenges.
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China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory despite Taipei’s rejection of Beijing’s sovereignty claims, has repeatedly condemned military cooperation between Taiwan and the United States.
Beijing has intensified military activities around Taiwan in recent years, including expanded naval and coast guard operations near the island’s Pacific coastline. Taiwan considers the eastern coast strategically vital because it could serve as a key supply corridor for allied assistance during any future conflict.
The increased Chinese military presence has prompted Taiwan to conduct large-scale exercises simulating various escalation scenarios, including a potential maritime blockade.
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Koo argued that any Chinese attempt to blockade Taiwan would also impose significant costs on Beijing.
He said China’s economy remains heavily dependent on international trade and uninterrupted maritime shipping, making a blockade a risky strategy that could trigger severe international sanctions and disrupt global commerce.
“In fact, a maritime blockade would pose an even greater challenge for China,” Koo said.
The defence minister also suggested Beijing would have to consider the domestic political consequences of such an action, particularly for Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“Under such circumstances, whether China’s regime could remain stable and whether Xi Jinping’s rule could be secured would be a very, very big challenge,” Koo added.
The remarks come amid heightened cross-strait tensions as Taiwan continues to strengthen defence cooperation with the United States while China maintains military pressure around the self-governed island.
