Taiwan Denies US Troops at New Firepower Center

Intermediate | February 4, 2026

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Taiwan denies US troops: A Rumor Spreads at a New Center

A new military facility in Dazhi, Taipei—called the Joint Firepower Coordination Center—sparked a wave of headlines this week. A local report claimed US troops were there to “oversee” operations and support Taiwanese personnel. The story moved fast, and it raised a big question: Is the US now physically inside Taiwan’s new command-style center? (taiwannews.com.tw)

Taiwan’s Defense Minister Says “No US Oversight”

Taiwan’s defense minister, Wellington Koo (顧立雄), pushed back hard. He said the report was “completely false” and stressed there was no “US oversight.” In other words: cooperation exists, but Koo said Taiwan does not host US troops in the building to supervise Taiwan. (taiwannews.com.tw)

What the Center Is Supposed to Do

So what is the Joint Firepower Coordination Center? The reporting around it says the center is meant to coordinate “asymmetric firepower” across Taiwan’s military—basically, helping different branches work together with modern, mobile systems designed to deter a larger opponent. Another report described it as a top-level coordination hub tied to how Taiwan plans and synchronizes long-range and precision capabilities across services. (taiwannews.com.tw)

“Institutionalized” Cooperation, Not a New US Base

Koo didn’t deny cooperation with the United States—he emphasized it. He said Taiwan–US military exchanges have become institutionalized, and that cooperation across multiple areas has deepened to strengthen Taiwan’s defensive operations. At the same time, he said the existing command mechanisms remain in place—meaning Taiwan is not handing over control. In business terms: partnership doesn’t mean ownership. (taiwannews.com.tw)

The US Message: Build Taiwan’s Defense Industry

Around the same time, American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Raymond Greene talked publicly about US-Taiwan defense industry cooperation. He said the US is working with Taiwan’s industrial sector to expand Taiwan’s domestic defense industrial base and strengthen the defense supply chain. In a separate report, Greene highlighted that Northrop Grumman installed a medium-caliber ammunition test range in Taiwan, which would let Taiwan’s defense ministry test ammunition to global standards and support local development through training and technology transfer. (taiwannews.com.tw)

Why This Story Matters

This story is a good reminder of how quickly a single claim can create noise—especially when it involves Taiwan, the US, and security issues. The key message of the week is simple: **Taiwan’s leaders deny that US troops operate from this new facility, even while cooperation with Washington continues. Taiwan wants to strengthen coordination and readiness, and the US wants Taiwan to build stronger defense capacity and supply chains. But Taiwan’s defense leadership is also drawing a clear line: cooperation, yes—“supervision” or stationed troops, no. (taiwannews.com.tw)

Vocabulary

deny (verb) – to say something is not true.
Example: The defense minister denied that US troops were stationed at the center.
facility (noun) – a building or place used for a specific purpose.
Example: The new facility in Dazhi became the center of the controversy.
oversee (verb) – to supervise or manage.
Example: The report claimed US personnel would oversee operations, but officials rejected that.
oversight (noun) – supervision or control.
Example: Koo said there was no US oversight inside the new center.
institutionalized (adjective) – made formal and organized as a regular system.
Example: He said Taiwan–US military exchanges are institutionalized.
coordinate (verb) – to organize people or actions so they work well together.
Example: The center is intended to coordinate firepower across different branches.
asymmetric (adjective) – designed for an uneven matchup, using smarter or smaller tools against a bigger force.
Example: Taiwan is investing in asymmetric systems like mobile missiles and drones.
mechanism (noun) – a system or method that makes something work.
Example: Officials said existing command mechanisms remain in place.
industrial base (noun) – the companies and factories that can produce key goods.
Example: The US says it wants Taiwan to expand its defense industrial base.
supply chain (noun) – the network that produces and delivers parts and products.
Example: Greene emphasized building trusted global defense supply chains.

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

What claim did the local report make about the new military center in Taipei?
How did Defense Minister Wellington Koo respond, and what exact point did he reject?
What is the Joint Firepower Coordination Center supposed to do?
Why do you think the phrase “US oversight” is politically sensitive?
What does this story show about how rumors spread in security-related news?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

How can governments correct misinformation without creating more attention for it?
What is the difference between “cooperation” and “control” in international partnerships?
Why do countries invest in “asymmetric” defense instead of trying to match a bigger opponent weapon-for-weapon?
How can building a domestic defense industry change a country’s strategy?
What kinds of headlines make you pause and double-check the facts before sharing?

Related Idiom

“Read between the lines” – to look for the real meaning that isn’t directly stated.

Example: If you read between the lines, Taiwan is saying: we cooperate with the US, but we won’t accept supervision.

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This article was inspired by:

Taiwan News, United Daily News, CNA, Focus Taiwan