TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan is steadily deepening security cooperation with the US, Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi (陳明祺) said in a Wall Street Journal interview published on Sunday.

Chen said the US is adopting a strategy of lowering rhetoric while strengthening action in the Indo-Pacific, meaning it is avoiding further escalation of regional tensions while continuing to support Taiwan through concrete measures, according to the foreign ministry. He emphasized that “The US support for Taiwan is real.”

Chen said Taiwan is strengthening its overall deterrence by maintaining its commitment to defense, boosting defense capabilities, and deepening cooperation with like-minded countries. He added that the First Island Chain is gradually evolving from a geographic concept into a framework for security cooperation.

Chen pointed out that Taiwan and the US share aligned strategic interests. Washington has identified deterring conflict in the Taiwan Strait as a priority, underscoring Taiwan’s key role in Washington’s global strategic framework, he said.

Taiwan is also increasing engagement with countries such as Japan and the Philippines, Chen said. In the event of a regional crisis, no country would be uninvolved, he said.

The deputy foreign minister said that Taiwan will continue to strengthen its own capabilities, bolster international cooperation, and align with the US emphasis on “burden sharing.”