Delegation’s attendance prompts speculation over whether the island could be invited to join Rim of the Pacific exercise in summer

South China Morning Post 
Date; 31 May, 2018
By: Lawrence Chung

Their attendance has prompted speculation over whether Taiwan could for the first time be invited to join the biennial US-led Rim of the Pacific exercise to be held off Hawaii in summer. The Pentagon last week withdrew Beijing’s invitation to take part in the international maritime war games “as an initial response to China’s continued militarisation of the South China Sea”.

As well as the leadership change, the command was also renamed as the US Indo-Pacific Command, a move reflecting the growing importance of India in the region.

Admiral Phil Davidson to become new head of US Pacific Command as China flexes naval muscle

Two senior military officials led Taiwan’s small delegation attending the ceremony on Wednesday at Joint Base Pearl Harbour-Hickam, a government source said on Thursday.    [FULL  STORY]