China's continuous efforts to assert its claim over Taiwan, despite never having governed it, have led to increased military activity in the Taiwan Strait.
Taiwan, in response, has been enhancing its defense capabilities.
In response to recent inquiries about the presence of the US Army Green Berets, also known as the Green Special Forces, Taiwan's Defense Chief Chiu Kuo-cheng emphasized the importance of communication with allies.
He stated, "Regardless of the circumstances, there may be blind spots or shortcomings. Therefore, it is crucial to engage in dialogue with our allies, whether they are teams, groups, or nations.
By sharing our strengths, we can learn from one another, which is an essential aspect of our collaboration."
While former President Tsai Ing-wen had previously mentioned occasional training sessions with US instructors in 2021, Chiu's recent statement marks the first official confirmation of the long-term nature of these activities.
According to reports from Taiwan's United Daily News (UDN), US Army Green Berets from the 1st Special Forces Group are now permanently stationed at bases of the 101st Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion, a Taiwanese army special operations force, located in outlying island counties of Penghu and Kinmen. Kinmen is situated just over a mile from Chinese shores.
Additionally, reports suggest an American military presence in the northeast city of Taoyuan on Taiwan's main island, with service members providing specialized training on drone equipment for Taiwan's elite Airborne Special Service Company.