US-educated official new vice defence minister

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te on Friday promoted a U.S.-educated senior security official as a new vice defence minister to help oversee military reforms and as the government pushes $40 billion in extra spending for the military. Taiwan, which China views as its own territory, is modernising its armed forces to better deal with a growing threat from Beijing, whose warplanes and warships operate almost daily around the island. Hsu Szu-chien, a fluent English speaker who is currently an advisor to Taiwan’s National Security Council, has strong experience at international affairs, the presidential office said in a statement. “The president hopes to draw on Dr. Hsu’s strong professional background and practical experience in national security and international affairs to assist Defence Minister Wellington Koo in injecting new momentum into the reform and strengthening of our national defence,” office spokesperson Karen Kuo added. Hsu has led delegations to take part in importan