ISTANBUL

Taiwan has said it is seeking closer cooperation with both the US and Israel.

The statement by Taiwan’s William Lai Ching-te came as he received members of a US-based pro-Israel lobbying group, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), in the capital Taipei late Monday.

This is the first AIPAC delegation to Taiwan, Lai said, as Taiwan has increased its engagement with Israel despite protests at home over the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.

“As we deepen strategic partnerships, invest in advanced tech and enhance our defense capabilities, we look forward to closer Taiwan-US-Israel cooperation on security, trade and beyond, promoting peace across the Taiwan Strait,” said Lai in a statement posted on the US social media company X.

According to an official statement by Taipei on Tuesday, Lai expressed hope Taiwan will "make the most of its advantages as a semiconductor industry hub by integrating US and Israeli resources in research and development."

​​Taiwan formally recognizes neither Israel nor Palestine but has maintained commercial ties with Tel Aviv since 1993 through an economic and trade office in Taipei. Cooperation is concentrated in the areas of technology, industry, and defense.