For Taiwan, which is under increasing pressure from Beijing to accept China s sovereignty claims over the island, the investment in a new factory is a show of goodwill towards Europe.
Taiwan s defence minister revealed on 13 April that the island is eyeing the purchase of National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems from the US to revamp its air defence system amid growing pressure from China. The US is Taiwan s major foreign source of weapons and is required to provide the island with means of self-defence. China, however, has previously railed against such sales.
The head of Taiwan's China-policy making Mainland Affairs Council will visit the United States to meet officials and speak at think-tank events to help garner international support for the island, his department said on Friday.
A delegation of senior U.S. lawmakers reassure Taiwan of strong support as the island comes under intensifying pressure from China, dispelling doubts about Washington s commitment amid Russia s invasion of Ukraine.