Former top US defense officials visit Taiwan amid tensions

By JOHNSON LAI
Associated Press

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — A delegation of former U.S. defense officials is visiting Taiwan in a sign of stepped-up communication between the sides amid a looming threat from China. Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Michael Mullen is leading the five-person delegation. It is to meet with President Tsai Ing-wen and other top officials during the two-day visit. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is visiting separately and will meet Tsai and address a forum. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has drawn fresh attention to China’s threat to use force to annex self-governing democratic Taiwan, which it claims as its own territory.