Joseph Wu in U.S. for ‘Secret Talks’ via Special Channel: Report

Taipei: Joseph Wu (???), head of Taiwan's National Security Council, is currently visiting the United States for discussions with the U.S. government through a "special channel," just days after China conducted military exercises near Taiwan. According to Focus Taiwan, the Financial Times reported that these "secret talks" occurred on Friday, marking the first utilization of the special channel by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration since his return to office in January. This channel has existed for years, enabling U.S. and Taiwanese officials to discuss security matters, though it remains unacknowledged by both parties, the report highlighted. The report further explained that Washington has kept these discussions confidential to prevent any potential provocations from China towards Taiwan. The Financial Times was reportedly the first to disclose this special channel in 2021. The U.S. shifted its diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, yet it has persistently maintained unofficial rel ations with Taipei, a move that Beijing frequently criticizes. The communication channel reportedly involves officials from the U.S. National Security Council, among others. Wu's delegation arrived in Washington for these "secret talks" at a time when the Chinese People's Liberation Army was conducting live-fire exercises in the East China Sea. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the U.S. declined to comment on the report. Earlier, the PLA's Eastern Theater Command stated that its military exercises were intended as "a stern warning" to Taiwanese separatist forces. According to the Financial Times, these drills have escalated U.S. concerns about its Taiwan policy. Admiral Samuel Paparo, head of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, noted in the reports that the PLA's exercises could potentially mask 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 Tai wan," Paparo was quoted saying at the Honolulu Defense Forum in February. The report also mentioned that this special communication channel was utilized in August 2024 during Joe Biden's presidency, shortly after the inauguration of Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te (???) in May. The August delegation included Wu and current Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (???), and Lin is reportedly part of the current delegation in the U.S. for the secret talks. According to the report, due to the absence of diplomatic ties, Taiwan's defense and foreign ministers are not allowed to enter the District of Columbia, a practice upheld by multiple U.S. administrations. Previous meetings between Taiwanese and American officials have taken place in Virginia or Maryland.