Former US Defense Secretary William Cohen will visit Taiwan this summer to exchange views with local officials on cross-strait relations and the situation in Asia.
Cohen served as defense secretary from 1997 until this January, when he stepped down with the Clinton administration and established his own consultancy focusing on international strategy.
This will be Cohen's first visit to Taiwan in more than four years. He last visited Taiwan in November 1996.
Aides to Cohen said that he will visit Asia in June and Taiwan is on his agenda. His complete itinerary has yet to be worked out.
The 60-year-old Cohen served six years in the US Congress and 18 years in the Senate. He focused on national defense, information, military and foreign affairs during his congressional career.
Cohen has been friendly to Taiwan and supported the nation's military moderation. But he also advocated active engagement with China, including increased military exchanges.
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