Taiwanese Deputy Foreign Minister Held Secret Visit to Israel, Reuters Reports

A senior Taiwanese diplomat recently carried out a secret visit to Israel, according to a Reuters report published Thursday, a move likely to irritate Beijing at a time of rising tensions in East Asia.

François Wu, Taiwan’s deputy foreign minister, is said to have traveled to Israel in recent weeks for discreet talks focused on security cooperation. Three sources told Reuters that the visit took place within the last month, though both governments declined to confirm it. The Israeli Foreign Ministry offered no comment, while Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry issued only a general statement that Taiwan and Israel share “values of freedom and democracy” and will continue to pursue pragmatic cooperation in trade, technology, and culture.

The secrecy reflects the sensitivity: Israel and Taiwan do not maintain official diplomatic relations, as Jerusalem, like most of the world, adheres to Beijing’s position that Taiwan is part of China. Still, informal economic and defense ties have existed for years, including reported Taiwanese use of Israeli technology in military systems.

According to the sources, discussions likely included Taiwan’s new T Dome air defense system, unveiled in October, which incorporates Israeli components. The visit came as Taiwan faces increasing military pressure from China, which has sharply escalated its threats of invasion.

Reuters also noted that Taiwanese support for Israel during the two year Gaza war has quietly brought the sides closer. At the same time, China has criticized Israel repeatedly in recent months, including after Jerusalem joined a UN statement condemning human rights violations in China. Israeli officials also recently accused both China and Qatar of driving online influence campaigns against Israel, prompting further tension with Beijing.

While neither government will acknowledge the trip, the report suggests that the clandestine channel between Jerusalem and Taipei is active and may be expanding. Any deepening of ties would mark a diplomatic challenge for Israel, which must balance its long standing economic relationship with China against growing contacts with Taiwan, a fellow democracy that views Israel as a valued partner.