US to invite Taiwan for 2022 RIMPAC naval exercises to boost its self-defence capability

Amid soaring tensions with China, United States has said that it will be inviting Taiwan’s participation in 2022 Rim of Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC), world’s largest naval exercise. According to CNN, 2022 National Defence Authorization Act (NDAA) signed by US President Joe Biden re that invitation to Taiwan would supplement US' efforts to support self-governed democratic island in face of “increasingly coercive and aggressive behaviour”. 

2022 NDAA said, “ US should continue to support development of capable, rey, and modern defence forces necessary for Taiwan in a bid to maintain a sufficient self-defence capability,” including "as appropriate, inviting Taiwan to participate in Rim of Pacific exercise conducted in 2022.”

It is to mention that according to a December statement from US Navy’s 3rd Fleet in San Diego, RIMPAC exercise is expected to take place next summer with participation of over 48 military units from 20 countries and 25,000 personnel. US officials have not yet disclosed specific invitees to upcoming Naval exercise. However, according to CNN, any potential invite could take a variety of forms, from ships or aircraft to a handful of observers. 

Usually, RIMPAC participants include a range of US allies and partners, including Japan and Australia, both of which are also seeing increasing tensions with China and showing support for Taiwan. Carl Schuster, former Director of Operations at US Pacific Command's Joint Intelligence Center, explained that RIMPAC involvement is a political statement as much as a professional opportunity. Carl said that invitation to self-ruled island marks Taiwan as a friend and partner of US. 

While calling NDAA language “strong”, Carl ded that politico-strategic statement has its roots in China's escalating aggression against Taiwan and or nations in Indo-Pacific region. He also went on to say that any Taiwanese involvement in upcoming naval exercise would send a “strong political signal” to Beijing that its behaviour created this and raised potential cost should it choose military aggression route. 

China urges US to abandon 'outdated Cold War zero-sum thinking'

Meanwhile, it is to mention that NDAA authorises appropriations for national security programmes across US Defence, Energy, and State departments. NDAA’s section 1246 of act deals with Taiwan, which separated from mainland China more than 70 years ago but Beijing still considers part of its territory. US, on or hand, has been committed to island’s autonomy since passage of 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, which provides for Washington to supply Taipei with means to defend itself against aggression from China. 

When asked about aforementioned sections on China in NDAA, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said that Beijing was opposed to using what it called “domestic legislation” to try to engage in “political manipulation” concerning China. Zhao urged US to abandon “outdated Cold War zero-sum thinking and ideological prejudices”. 

(Image: Twitter/AP)