Taiwan president says island 'planning cooperation' with U.S. National Guard

The president did not go into details on the defense plans

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on Tuesday said the United States Department of Defense is "planning cooperation" between Taiwan's defense forces and the U.S. National Guard as China increases its military activities near the small island.

During a meeting with U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Tsai expressed her thanks for her work on the Taiwan Partnership Act. The bill has bipartisan support but has not yet become law.

"As a result, the U.S. Department of Defence [sic] is now proactively planning cooperation between the U.S. National Guard and Taiwan's defence forces," she said, Reuters reported.

"We look forward to closer and deeper Taiwan-U.S. cooperation on matters of regional security," Tsai noted, without giving details.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry voiced disapproval of Duckworth's visit.

Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said that "China will continue to take strong measures to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Taiwan is looking for extra security following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Hours after the incursion in February, China began blaming the United States and defending Russia.