A rare and discreet diplomatic visit has drawn international attention after Reuters reported that Taiwan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Francois Wu traveled secretly to Israel in recent weeks, reflecting deepening security engagement between the two democracies despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties.

According to the report, Wu’s trip took place sometime over the past several weeks, possibly earlier this month. Such travel is considered highly unusual; while senior Taiwanese diplomats do occasionally go abroad, visits to countries with which Taiwan does not maintain official relations are seldom revealed.