US spy chief boosts Taiwan with rare high-level visit

A top US officer responsible for military intelligence has made an unannounced visit, in a move certain to infuriate China.

A military statue and Taiwanese flag on top of an arch built in Taiwan. Picture: AFP

A top US officer responsible for military intelligence in the Asia-Pacific region has made an unannounced visit to Taiwan, in a move that is certain to infuriate Beijing and heighten tensions over the island.

The Chinese foreign ministry vowed to respond to the arrival on Sunday of Michael Studeman, a rear admiral and director of intelligence of the US Indo-Pacific Command, saying that it could harden Beijing’s stance toward Taiwan.

USAF C-37A (reported to be boarded by Michael Studeman, director of Intelligence, @INDOPACOM), arrived at #Taiwan, Nov 22.
Before which, 5 US #reconnaissance planes, including USAF 1*RC-135W, USN 2*P-8A, 1*MQ-4C and Tenax 1*CL-604 & 2 tankers, operated over the #SouthChinaSea. pic.twitter.com/5j0Bqqmo5e

— SCS Probing Initiative (@SCS_PI) November 22, 2020

It is highly unusual for such a senior US officer to visit the island and is so sensitive that neither the Pentagon nor the Taiwanese foreign ministry officially confirmed his presence.

Taiwan instead acknowledged the arrival of an unnamed US official, after local media spotted a chartered plane touching down in Taipei Songshan airport.

However, Rear Admiral Studeman’s identity has been widely confirmed by US media and the Reuters new agency.

Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory and opposes contact between US and Taiwanese officials or a military relationship that would lend legitimacy to Taiwanese statehood.

It has vowed to seize the island by force but a longstanding security pact between Taipei and Washington is a deterrent.

Taiwan sailors parade in front of a navy frigate. Picture: AFP

Zhao Lijian, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, said: “The Chinese side will, according to how the situation develops, make a legitimate and necessary response.”

As China-US relations have become increasingly strained, the Trump administration has increased ties with Taiwan, including new weapons sales.

The Times