WELCOMED DEVELOPMENT:Ministry of National Defense spokesman David Lo said the military looked forward to opportunities to play a greater role in regional security

Taipei Times
Date: May 18, 2015
By: Staff writer, with CNA, Washington

The US House of Representatives on Friday passed the US military budget for next year, with an amendment that stipulates that if the US Department of Defense invites Beijing to participate in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC), a similar invitation must also be extended to Taiwan.

The amendment was proposed by Mark Walker.

The amendment said that the US secretary of defense “shall invite the military forces of Taiwan to participate in any maritime exercise known as the Rim of the Pacific Exercise” if the secretary has invited the military forces of the People’s Republic of China to participate.

The amendment specified that “this section takes effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.”     [FULL  STORY]