A two-star Navy admiral overseeing U.S. military intelligence in the Asia-Pacific region has made an unannounced visit to Taiwan, two sources told Reuters on Sunday, in a high-level trip that could vex China. The sources, who include a Taiwanese official familiar with the situation, said the official was Rear Admiral Michael Studeman. Taiwan’s foreign ministry confirmed on Sunday that a U.S. official had arrived in Taiwan but declined to provide details, saying the trip had not been made public. The Trump administration has ramped up support for Taiwan, including with new arms sales, alarming China. Still, he could be one of the most high-ranking U.S. military officers known to have visited Taipei in recent years.

Source: The Standard November 22, 2020 21:00 UTC