TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan Navy Commander Tang Hua (唐華) was welcomed by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Commander John C. Aquilino as one of multiple distinguished guests at the change of command ceremony for the U.S. Pacific Fleet in Hawaii on Thursday (April 4).

Having our partners “come from all over the globe is an incredible testament to friendship, partnership and the importance of our allies and partners,” Aquilino said. “We are better together and this is proof of that,” he added.

Admiral Steve Koehler replaced Admiral Samuel J. Paparo as U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander. Other guests included navy officials from Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, South Korea, and the Philippines.   

Hawaii was Tang’s first stop on his U.S. visit. He is expected to attend the Sea Air Space Conference and Exposition in Maryland on April 8 and possibly hold talks with U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti to exchange views on how to strengthen bilateral naval cooperation, per Reuters.

Military exchanges between Taiwan and the U.S. have grown increasingly close. In 2015, then-Navy Commander Li Hsi-ming (李喜明) attended the change of command ceremony for the U.S. Pacific Fleet in Hawaii. Last year, Vice Minister of National Defense Su Yen-pu (徐衍璞) traveled to Virginia to attend the U.S.-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference, according to Liberty Times.