The Voice of America
October 06, 2017 3:51 AM
By: Ralph Jennings

TAIPEI, TAIWAN — Singapore’s apparent decision this week to sustain a more than

Soldiers of AAV7 Amphibious Assault Vehicle communicate during a military exercises at the Zuoying base of Taiwan Navy in Kaohsiung, Southern of Taiwan, Tuesday, January 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)

40-year-old military training program with Taiwan, despite pressure from China, is giving Taiwan’s embattled foreign policy a rare win in Asia.

Officials in Taipei said this week Singapore would continue the Project Starlight military training program despite a visit last month to China by the Southeast Asian country’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. China sees self-ruled Taiwan as part of its own territory and discourages other governments from pursuing diplomatic or military relationships.

The two sides started the training program in 1975 under Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and his friend Chiang Ching-kuo, Taiwan’s premier at the time. Chiang went on to become president.    [FULL  STORY]