Taiwan-US security and military talks will discuss weapons and strategies to defend island against Beijing

Taiwan and the United States are expected to start their annual security talks this week, discussing the best weapons and strategies for the self-ruled island to deal with Beijing as tensions mount across the Taiwan Strait.

The talks – to begin in Washington on Wednesday – come after Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe warned on Sunday that any attempt to split the island from the mainland would trigger military action by Beijing’s forces.