WASHINGTON (Reuters), – President Joe Biden spoke Wednesday to a group of East Asian leaders, stating that the United States is deeply disturbed by China’s “coercive” actions along the Taiwan Strait. The president called the Taiwan Strait a threat and a threat the stability and peace.

Biden, who spoke at the virtual event attended also by Li Keqiang the Chinese Premier and other leaders from the region, reiterated the United States’ “rock-solid commitment” to Taiwan.

Biden stated that China’s “coercive… actions” are “deeply concerning”, and claimed they “threaten regional stability and peace.”

Taiwan is a priority for the United States. This commitment has been consistent and rock-solid across all administrations. “It continues to be peace and stability throughout the Taiwan Straits, and within the Region,” he stated.

Biden stated last week that the United States has a 1979 law that requires Taiwan to be provided with defense mechanisms. The United States would defend Taiwan if China attacked it. These remarks caused some controversy as they seem to be in direct contradiction to a U.S. policy of strategic ambiguity about Washington’s response to such a situation.

Biden did not indicate a change of U.S. policy towards Taiwan. Some analysts dismissed the comments as silly.

In recent weeks, tensions have escalated between Taiwan and China as Beijing puts pressure on Taiwan with multiple air raids over Taiwan Strait (the waterway that separates the island from the mainland).

China voiced dismay at Biden’s comments last Wednesday. China’s foreign ministry urged Washington to “not send the wrong signals” to Taiwan independence forces, in order to prevent serious harm to Sino-U.S. ties as well as peace and stability within the Taiwan Strait.