WASHINGTON/TAIPEI – The Taiwan Foreign Ministry stated Wednesday that Washington had reassured the country that it was still committed to Taiwan, just days after President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping said they would abide by “Taiwan Agreement.”

According to the Foreign Ministry, it sought clarifications from the United States regarding Biden’s remarks and was reassured that Washington would continue to support Taiwan in its defenses.

It stated that “Facing China’s diplomatic, military and economic threats”, Taiwan and the United States had maintained close communication.

In his comments on Tuesday evening, Biden appeared to refer to a 90-minute call https://www.reuters.com/world/china/biden-chinas-xi-discuss-managing-competition-avoiding-conflict-call-2021-09-10 he held with Xi on Sept. 9 and the long-standing policy under which Washington officially recognizes Beijing rather than Taipei, as well as Taiwan Relations Act.

“I spoke with Xi regarding Taiwan. Biden said that they agreed to abide the Taiwan agreement. “We stated that we understood and agreed to abide by the Taiwan agreement.

Officials from Taiwan were sent to investigate the comments by Biden, trying to understand what signal he was transmitting at a time when tensions are high between Taipei (China) and Taipei. A Taiwanese official emailed a reporter from Reuters to find out what Biden was saying.

Chiu Kuocheng (Taiwan’s defence minister), was asked by journalists in parliament if he could provide any more information on the Biden remark.

Paris: U.S. Secretary Antony Blinken stated Wednesday in Paris that their commitment to Taiwan remains firm. They are also concerned by China’s provocation military activity.

China considers Taiwan its territory. It should take force, if necessary. Taiwan declares itself an independent nation and vows to defend democracy and its freedoms.

Over the last year, Beijing dramatically increased military flights to Taiwan’s air defence identification zone.

Taiwan reported the arrival of 148 Chinese aircraft force planes to the south and southwest parts of its air defence zone in a period that lasted four days. This was the start date for the National Day celebrations, which China celebrated on Friday.

According to the Taiwan Relations Act, the U.S.’s 1979 decision to recognize Beijing as its official diplomat in Taiwan is based on the assumption that Taiwan’s future will be decided peacefully.

Although the United States is legally required to assist Taiwan in its defense, Washington does acknowledge China’s claim that Taiwan belongs to them and that “one China”. It also recognizes Taiwan’s sovereign right to exist.

Biden’s national-security adviser Jake Sullivan and China’s top diplomat Yang Jiechi met in Switzerland Wednesday to discuss ways of improving communication despite growing strategic rivalry as well as tensions about hotspots like Taiwan.

Biden called Xi on September 23rd, marking their first contact in seven month.

China is becoming more nationalistic and assertive in China under Xi. He is set to challenge precedent to secure a third 5-year term next year.

Beijing is also claiming South China Sea territory and has begun to modernize its military. Beijing’s crackdown on Hong Kong has made it more probable that a military solution will be reached if Beijing does not fulfill its promise to Taiwanese unity with China.

Bonnie Glaser of the German Marshall Fund is a Taiwan expert and said that the increase in military activity was “destabilizing but not alarming”, and “undoubtedly meant to intimidate Taiwan.”

Ned Price, spokesperson U.S. State Department on Sunday, called for China to cease its military activities in the vicinity of Taiwan

Price released a statement saying that “The United States is extremely concerned about the People’s Republic of China’s provocative militarily active near Taiwan,” which was destabilizing and risks miscalculations and undermining regional peace and stability.