The agreement makes it easier for Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to conduct joint training and exchanges.

TAIPEI, Taiwan—China's military flew 36 fighter jets and bombers near Taiwan, the Taiwanese defense ministry announced, part of a long-running campaign of intimidation against the self-ruled island democracy.

Replacing Russia with China and Ukraine with Taiwan, the absence of a collective self-defense system like NATO in Asia means that wars are likely to break out because there is no obligation for mutual defense,” he wrote in a paper to the Washington-based

Washington, currently a diplomatic ally of Beijing but not Taipei, has provided military equipment to Taiwan for its self-defense.

The TRA authorizes the United States to provide the island with military equipment for its self-defense.

Speaking to reporters, he declined to comment on the specifics but said the Self-Defense Forces were observing Chinese movements “with great attention.”

Late in 2025, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told lawmakers that a potential Chinese attack on Taiwan could constitute a situation requiring Japan to activate its self-defense forces.

While not officially backing Taiwan's independence, the Taiwan Relations Act states that if China attacks Taiwan, "the United States will make available to Taiwan such defense articles and defense services ... to enable Taiwan to maintain sufficient self-defense

Amid all the threats, the United States maintains legal ties with Taiwan, guaranteeing that it will supply the island nation with the weapons it needs for self-defense.

We should be focused on providing Taiwan with as much self-defensive measures as humanly possible," Del Toro said on July 13.

Takaichi stated that a Taiwan contingency could directly endanger Japan’s security and constitute a “survival-threatening situation,” in which Japan could invoke its right to collective self-defense.

Taiwan’s Presidential Office said the arms sale would help the self-ruled island strengthen its self-defense and cope with China's military pressure surrounding its border.

Army from the Ukraine war that it would apply in a defense of Taiwan, a self-ruled island that China seeks to control.

“We have obligations to assist Taiwan with their self-defense and I think you’re going to see that continue,” Kirby said.

So we will keep assisting Taiwan in maintaining a sufficient self-defense capability.” “We are committed to support Taiwan in its ability to defend itself.” Despite the many crises bogging down U.S.

"Through our actions, we are sending a message to the international community that Taiwan will take responsibility for our own self-defense, that we will not leave anything to fate, and that we will work with our allies to jointly maintain security and

The United States has maintained a decades-long foreign policy known as "strategic ambiguity,” but, under the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), it's required to provide the self-ruled island with military equipment for its self-defense.

The policy also mandates extensive unofficial ties with Taiwan. The Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 further mandates that the United States will provide the arms to Taiwan necessary for its self-defense.

"If the Taiwan issue were not handled properly, it would have a damaging impact on Sino–U.S. relations," Wei said, according to a statement published by the defense ministry.

Taiwan has vowed to exercise its right to self-defense and counter-attack if Chinese armed forces entered its territory.

That’s why we’ll continue to assist Taiwan in maintaining a sufficient self-defense capability." "We maintain our commitments, as outlined in the Three Communiqués, Taiwan Relations Act, and the Six Assurances," she added.

“The U.S. defense relationship with Taiwan is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act,” which includes “assisting Taiwan in maintaining a sufficient self-defense capability,” she said.

its self-defense.

Despite a lack of formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, the United States maintains a robust relationship with Taipei based on the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), which authorizes Washington to provide the island with military equipment for its self-defense

Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, the closest U.S. airbase to Taiwan, is transitioning from F-15C fighter jets to the more advanced F-15EX multi-role fighters. Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force also operates F-15Js out of Kadena.

“Taiwan will continue to strengthen our self-defense capabilities and asymmetric defense capabilities, enhance our deterrence capabilities, staunchly defend our constitutional system of freedom and democracy, and work alongside like-minded countries to

In December 2025, the Cabinet approved a record $784 billion defense budget as part of a five-year plan to strengthen deterrence. Japanese F-15 jets fly during the military review at the Ground Self-Defense Force's Asaka training ground on Oct. 27.

Beyond merely enabling self-defense, however, the U.S.–Taiwan relationship is trickier. The U.S. government has, to date, maintained a policy of so-called strategic ambiguity regarding its commitments to the defense of Taiwan.

The CCP’s coercion of Taiwan is pressing and the United States will continue to assist Taiwan in improving its self-defense, U.S.

The idea of Taiwan Navy ships and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force or the Taiwan Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force brushing elbows operationally perhaps isn't for the immediate future.