Taiwan's Top Security Official in Secret U.S. Talks Amid Rising Cross-Strait Tensions

Exclusive Report Reveals "Special Channel" Discussions Following Chinese Military Exercises

Washington, April 4 – Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), head of Taiwan's National Security Council (NSC), is currently in the United States for confidential discussions with U.S. officials, according to a report by the Financial Times. These talks are being conducted through a "special channel," raising eyebrows in light of China's recent military exercises near Taiwan.

The "secret talks" reportedly took place on Friday, marking the first instance of the U.S. administration utilizing this special communication channel since the return of the previous president to the White House in January. This channel has been in operation for years, facilitating discussions between Washington and Taipei on critical security matters, although neither side officially acknowledges its existence.

The Financial Times notes that Washington maintains the secrecy of these talks to avoid provoking China. This "special channel" was first revealed by the publication in 2021.

Following the U.S.'s shift in diplomatic recognition from the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the People's Republic of China in 1979, the U.S. has maintained unofficial ties with Taipei, a move that frequently draws criticism from Beijing.

The U.S.'s special communication channel with Taiwan involves officials from the U.S. National Security Council, among others, according to the Financial Times.

Wu and his delegation arrived in Washington this week for the "secret talks" via the special channel, coinciding with live-fire exercises conducted by the Chinese People's Liberation Army in the East China Sea on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the U.S. declined to comment on the report.

Earlier in the week, the PLA's Eastern Theater Command stated that the military exercises around Taiwan were intended as "a stern warning" to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

The Financial Times reports that the PLA's recent sophisticated military drills around Taiwan have heightened U.S. concerns regarding its stance on the island.

Admiral Samuel Paparo, head of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, was quoted in the report, highlighting concerns that China's military exercises are extensive enough to be used as a "fig leaf" to disguise a military invasion of Taiwan.

"Their aggressive manoeuvres around Taiwan right now are not exercises as they call them, they are rehearsals. They are rehearsals for the forced unification of Taiwan," the report quoted Paparo as saying at the Honolulu Defense Forum in February.

The report also mentioned the use of this special communication channel in August 2024, during the administration of the then U.S. President, Joe Biden, shortly after the inauguration of Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) in May.

The delegation in August included Wu, a former foreign minister, and the current Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍), the report said.

Citing a source familiar with the matter, the Financial Times confirmed that Lin is also participating in the current secret talks in the U.S.

According to the report, under long-standing protocol observed by numerous U.S. administrations, Taiwan's defense and foreign ministers are typically not permitted to enter the District of Columbia due to the absence of formal diplomatic ties.

Past meetings between Taiwanese and American officials have often taken place in neighboring states like Virginia or Maryland, the report stated.