《TAIPEI TIMES 焦點》 US-Taiwan defense conference aims to ‘boost mutual trust’

/ Staff writer, with CNA

Government officials are to participate in this year’s US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference in Virginia early next month, where attendees are to examine Taiwan’s national security plans, indigenous submarine programs and bilateral security cooperation.

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The annual conference, which starts on Sunday and ends on Oct. 7, is to focus on US-Taiwan defense and military cooperation, as well as Taiwan’s future defense and national security needs, according to the organizer, the US-Taiwan Business Council.

Taiwan will appoint an “appropriate” official to lead the delegation at the conference, Ministry of National Defense spokesman Major General David Lo （羅紹和） said.

The delegation is to discuss the country’s major defense policies, such as defense budget allocation and efforts to shift toward an all-volunteer force, in an attempt to boost bilateral trust, he said.

The event is also to serve as an opportunity to discuss bilateral defense industry cooperation and technology exchanges to help the nation boost its self-reliance in defense, Lo said.

According to a statement by the council last month, the event “will feature panels comprising leading voices on defense issues from both the United States and Taiwan, and will offer an opportunity for high-level debate and discussion.”

Now in its 13th year, the conference will consider Taiwan’s role in the US’ strategic rebalance toward Asia; examine Taiwan’s defense and military plans for the next five to 10 years; discuss the arms sales process; assess Taiwan’s indigenous submarine programs and discuss ways to expand bilateral security cooperation, the council said.

The council is a membership-based nonprofit association founded in 1976 to foster trade and business relations between the US and Taiwan.

In recent years, Taiwan has sent a deputy defense minister as the head of its delegation to the private event, which is also attended by US defense officials.

新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES