US releases photo of Taiwanese major general at Indo-Pacific military talks
- Flag of Taiwan’s Marine Corps also seen in pictures posted on social media by US Pacific Marines in another move likely to anger Beijing
- While some Taipei lawmakers see the self-ruled island edging closer to Washington, analysts say they are not heading towards normalising ties
The US Pacific Marine Corps has released photos showing a Taiwanese major general and a flag with the island’s emblem at an annual gathering of military leaders from the Indo-Pacific region, in another move certain to infuriate Beijing.
Major General Liu Erh-jung’s attendance at the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium last week was the latest in a series of moves that Taipei said demonstrated closer relations with Washington.
In Taipei, some lawmakers said they were the latest signs that ties between Taipei and Washington were normalising. But analysts said that while the gestures showed relations were improving, they should not be seen as evidence Washington planned to normalise ties with the self-ruled island as it was highly unlikely the US would want to go that far.
Beijing sees Taiwan as a wayward province, to be reclaimed by force if necessary. It has warned Washington against recognising Taiwan as a country, and demanded that it follow the one-China policy and the three communiques that have been the foundation of its relationship since Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979.