Washington: Taiwan’s National Security Adviser Joseph Wu is currently in Washington for “secret talks” with US officials, as reported by the Financial Times. Wu, along with his delegation, arrived this week to participate in a meeting known as the “special channel,” which has reportedly been used between the US and Taiwan for years.
According to Anadolu Agency, the talks were scheduled for Friday and represent Donald Trump’s first use of the forum since resuming his position as US president in January. This development coincides with Chinese military and coast guard conducting large-scale drills around Taiwan, focusing on a blockade that lasted until Wednesday.
Sr. Col. Shi Yi, a spokesman for the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, described the drills as a ‘stern warning and forceful deterrent against Taiwan independence separatist forces.’ In response, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry condemned the drills, labeling them as “China’s irrational provocations.”
Wu and Lin Chia-lung, Taiwan’s foreign minister, previously visited Washington in August 2024 for the first ‘special channel’ discussions following the election of Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te in January. China has consistently criticized US ties with Taiwan, expressing discontent over the ongoing engagement between the two nations.