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The United States will continue its friendly approach towards Taiwan after the presidential election and Taiwan will work to prevent China from "making trouble" during the transition, a senior Taiwanese security official said on Wednesday.

Donald Trump, the Republican candidate for the U.S. presidency and neck and neck in the polls with Democrat Vice President Kamala Harris, has made comments on the campaign trail that Taiwan should pay to be protected and also accused the island of stealing American semiconductor business.

Democratically-governed Taiwan, which China views as its own territory, has faced a sustained military pressure campaign from Beijing over the past five years, including four major rounds of war games in the past two years.

Speaking to reporters in parliament, Taiwan National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen noted the election's outcome was still unknown.

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"On relations across the Taiwan Strait we believe that the United States will continue its current approach of constraining China and being friendly to Taiwan," he said.

Taiwan will continue communication with the current administration focusing on key issues for cooperation "in the next phase" and work with international partners to exchange information on China's intentions and military movements during the transition, Tsai added.

"This is as to prevent the Chinese communists from taking advantage of the transition of the U.S. government and to prevent them from making trouble during the transition," he said.

China's Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to request for comment.

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Also speaking to media at parliament, Taiwan Economy Minister Kuo Jyh-huei said the government was paying great attention to the election and making preparations no matter who won.

However, Taiwan-U.S. economic ties are deep and won't be easy to change and the impact on the economy will be small irrespective of who the next president is, he added.

Taiwan's government rejects China's sovereignty claims, saying only the island's people can decide their future.

The United States is Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier, even in the absence of formal diplomatic ties.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for&nbsp;WION&nbsp;audience.

The United States will continue its friendly approach towards Taiwan after the presidential election and Taiwan will work to prevent China from "making trouble" during the transition, a senior Taiwanese security official said on Wednesday.

The United States will continue its friendly approach towards Taiwan after the presidential election and Taiwan will work to prevent China from "making trouble" during the transition, a senior Taiwanese security official said on Wednesday. Donald Trump, the Republican candidate for the U.S. presidency and neck and neck in the polls with Democrat Vice President Kamala Harris, has made comments on the campaign trail that Taiwan should pay to be protected and also accused the island of stealing American semiconductor business. Democratically-governed Taiwan, which China views as its own territory, has faced a sustained military pressure campaign from Beijing over the past five years, including four major rounds of war games in the past two years. Speaking to reporters in parliament, Taiwan National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen noted the election's outcome was still unknown. Also Read | LIVE | US Election 2024: Trump-210, Harris-112, predictions show "On relations across the Taiwan Strait we believe that the United States will continue its current approach of constraining China and being friendly to Taiwan," he said. Taiwan will continue communication with the current administration focusing on key issues for cooperation "in the next phase" and work with international partners to exchange information on China's intentions and military movements during the transition, Tsai added. "This is as to prevent the Chinese communists from taking advantage of the transition of the U.S. government and to prevent them from making trouble during the transition," he said. China's Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to request for comment. Also Read | Florida abortion ballot measure falls flat in a major win for Gov Ron DeSantis Also speaking to media at parliament, Taiwan Economy Minister Kuo Jyh-huei said the government was paying great attention to the election and making preparations no matter who won. However, Taiwan-U.S. economic ties are deep and won't be easy to change and the impact on the economy will be small irrespective of who the next president is, he added. Taiwan's government rejects China's sovereignty claims, saying only the island's people can decide their future. The United States is Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier, even in the absence of formal diplomatic ties. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

US to continue Taiwan-friendly approach after White House race, says Taipei

The United States on Friday sought to prevent an escalation with China, saying there was no change in Taiwan policy after President Joe Biden promised to defend the island from attack by Beijing.

Tensions have soared in recent months as Beijing steps up air incursions near Taiwan, a self-ruling democracy that the growing Asian power has vowed one day to take over, by force if necessary.

At a CNN televised forum in Baltimore on Thursday evening, Biden was asked whether the United States would come to Taiwan's defence if China invaded. "Yes," he responded. "We have a commitment to that."

Biden's statement appeared at odds with the long-held US policy of "strategic ambiguity," where Washington helps build Taiwan's defences but does not explicitly promise to come to the island's help in the event of war.

The White House clarified Friday that it was still guided by the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, in which Congress required the United States to provide weaponry to "enable Taiwan to maintain sufficient self-defense capabilities."

"The president was not announcing any change in our policy and there is no change in our policy," a White House spokesperson said.

"We will uphold our commitment under the act to support Taiwan's self-defense, and we will continue to oppose any unilateral changes in the status quo," the spokesperson said.

Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, on a visit to NATO headquarters in Brussels, declined to discuss "hypotheticals" but said the United States "will continue to help Taiwan with the sorts of capabilities that it needs to defend itself."

New firmness?

The policy is designed to deter a Chinese invasion but also discourage Taiwan from formally declaring independence -- something Beijing regards as a red line.

Biden's comments were welcomed on Friday by Taiwan, which has pushed to bolster international alliances to protect itself from Beijing.

"The US government has demonstrated, through actual actions, their rock solid support for Taiwan," Presidential Office spokesperson Xavier Chang said in a statement.

But Beijing said that Biden's comments risked "damaging Sino-US relations," warning Washington on Friday to "act and speak cautiously on the Taiwan issue."

"China has no room for compromise on issues involving its core interests," foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a regular press briefing.

The US should not underestimate China's "staunch determination, firm will and strong ability" to defend against what it sees as threats to its sovereignty, Wang added.

Biden made a similar pledge in August during an interview with ABC, insisting that the US would always defend key allies, naming Taiwan among them, despite the withdrawal from Afghanistan in the face of the victorious Taliban.

Biden's remarks were unlikely to be out of ignorance. The veteran politician himself was serving on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 1979 and voted to approve the Taiwan Relations Act.

Richard McGregor, a senior fellow for East Asia at the Lowy Institute, said Biden may have wanted to show greater firmness.

"I suspect Biden was not trying to announce any change. So it was either loose language, or perhaps a slightly harder tone, deliberately adopted because of the way Beijing has increased the tempo of its military harassment of Taiwan recently," he told AFP.&nbsp;

Warplane incursions&nbsp;

China has ramped up economic, diplomatic and military pressure on Taiwan since the 2016 election of President Tsai Ing-wen, who views Taiwan as already sovereign and not part of "one China."

Military pressure has escalated in the last year with China sending waves of fighter jets and nuclear-capable bombers into Taiwan's air defense zone.

According to an AFP tally, more than 800 flights have been made into the zone since September last year -- 170 just this month.&nbsp;

Defending Taiwan, one of Asia's most progressive democracies, has become a rare bipartisan issue in Washington's otherwise deeply polarised landscape.

At Thursday's live town hall, Biden was also asked by an audience member whether the United States would be able to keep up with China's rapid military development.&nbsp;

Biden responded with "Yes."

"Don't worry about whether... they're going to be more powerful," he said. "China, Russia and the rest of the world knows we have the most powerful military in the history of the world."

Biden's comments come in the wake of a Financial Times report that China has tested a state-of-the-art hypersonic missile with nuclear capacity that flew around the planet before landing, albeit not on target.&nbsp;

The United States on Friday sought to prevent an escalation with China, saying there was no change in Taiwan policy after President Joe Biden promised to defend the island from attack by Beijing.

The United States on Friday sought to prevent an escalation with China, saying there was no change in Taiwan policy after President Joe Biden promised to defend the island from attack by Beijing. Tensions have soared in recent months as Beijing steps up air incursions near Taiwan, a self-ruling democracy that the growing Asian power has vowed one day to take over, by force if necessary. At a CNN televised forum in Baltimore on Thursday evening, Biden was asked whether the United States would come to Taiwan's defence if China invaded. "Yes," he responded. "We have a commitment to that." Biden's statement appeared at odds with the long-held US policy of "strategic ambiguity," where Washington helps build Taiwan's defences but does not explicitly promise to come to the island's help in the event of war. The White House clarified Friday that it was still guided by the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, in which Congress required the United States to provide weaponry to "enable Taiwan to maintain sufficient self-defense capabilities." "The president was not announcing any change in our policy and there is no change in our policy," a White House spokesperson said. "We will uphold our commitment under the act to support Taiwan's self-defense, and we will continue to oppose any unilateral changes in the status quo," the spokesperson said. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, on a visit to NATO headquarters in Brussels, declined to discuss "hypotheticals" but said the United States "will continue to help Taiwan with the sorts of capabilities that it needs to defend itself." New firmness? The policy is designed to deter a Chinese invasion but also discourage Taiwan from formally declaring independence -- something Beijing regards as a red line. Biden's comments were welcomed on Friday by Taiwan, which has pushed to bolster international alliances to protect itself from Beijing. "The US government has demonstrated, through actual actions, their rock solid support for Taiwan," Presidential Office spokesperson Xavier Chang said in a statement. But Beijing said that Biden's comments risked "damaging Sino-US relations," warning Washington on Friday to "act and speak cautiously on the Taiwan issue." "China has no room for compromise on issues involving its core interests," foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a regular press briefing. The US should not underestimate China's "staunch determination, firm will and strong ability" to defend against what it sees as threats to its sovereignty, Wang added. Biden made a similar pledge in August during an interview with ABC, insisting that the US would always defend key allies, naming Taiwan among them, despite the withdrawal from Afghanistan in the face of the victorious Taliban. Biden's remarks were unlikely to be out of ignorance. The veteran politician himself was serving on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 1979 and voted to approve the Taiwan Relations Act. Richard McGregor, a senior fellow for East Asia at the Lowy Institute, said Biden may have wanted to show greater firmness. "I suspect Biden was not trying to announce any change. So it was either loose language, or perhaps a slightly harder tone, deliberately adopted because of the way Beijing has increased the tempo of its military harassment of Taiwan recently," he told AFP. Warplane incursions China has ramped up economic, diplomatic and military pressure on Taiwan since the 2016 election of President Tsai Ing-wen, who views Taiwan as already sovereign and not part of "one China." Military pressure has escalated in the last year with China sending waves of fighter jets and nuclear-capable bombers into Taiwan's air defense zone. According to an AFP tally, more than 800 flights have been made into the zone since September last year -- 170 just this month. Defending Taiwan, one of Asia's most progressive democracies, has become a rare bipartisan issue in Washington's otherwise deeply polarised landscape. At Thursday's live town hall, Biden was also asked by an audience member whether the United States would be able to keep up with China's rapid military development. Biden responded with "Yes." "Don't worry about whether... they're going to be more powerful," he said. "China, Russia and the rest of the world knows we have the most powerful military in the history of the world." Biden's comments come in the wake of a Financial Times report that China has tested a state-of-the-art hypersonic missile with nuclear capacity that flew around the planet before landing, albeit not on target.

US seeks to contain Beijing anger after Biden vows Taiwan defence

US&nbsp;President-elect Donald Trump spoke by phone with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, the first such contact between the two sides in nearly four decades, but China dismissed the call as a &quot;petty action&quot; by the self-ruled island it claims as its own.

The 10-minute telephone call with Taiwan&#39;s leadership was the first by a US&nbsp;president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, acknowledging Taiwan as part of &quot;one China&quot;.

Hours after Friday&#39;s call, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi blamed Taiwan for the exchange, avoiding what could have been a major rift with Washington just before Trump assumes the presidency.

&quot;This is just the Taiwan side engaging in a petty action, and cannot change the &#39;one China&#39; structure already formed by the international community,&quot; Wang said at an academic forum in Beijing, state media reported.

&quot;I believe that it won&#39;t change the longstanding &#39;one China&#39; policy of the United States government.&quot;

In comments at the same forum, Wang noted how quickly President Xi Jinping and Trump had spoken by telephone after Trump&#39;s victory, and that Trump had praised China as a great country.

Wang said the exchange sent &quot;a very positive signal about the future development of Sino-US&nbsp;relations&quot;, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry&#39;s website. Taiwan was not mentioned in that call, according to an official Chinese transcript.

Trump said on Twitter that Tsai had initiated the call he had with the Taiwan president. &quot;The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!&quot; he said.

Alex Huang, a spokesman for Tsai, said: &quot;Of course both sides agreed ahead of time before making contact.&quot;

Trump and Tsai noted that &quot;close economic, political and security ties exist between Taiwan and the United States&quot;, the Trump transition team said in a statement. Taiwan&#39;s presidential office said the two discussed strengthening bilateral interactions and establishing closer cooperation.

Later on Saturday, Taiwan&#39;s policy making body on China said Beijing must look at the call &quot;calmly&quot;.

&quot;We call on China to face the new situation in the Asia-Pacific region and work with us towards developing a benign cross-strait relationship,&quot; the Mainland Affairs Council said in a statement, referring to the stretch of water between the two sides.

China considers Taiwan a wayward province and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under its control. Relations between the two sides have worsened since Tsai, who heads the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, was elected president in January.

China&#39;s influential state-run tabloid the Global Times said in an online editorial that if Trump really overturned the &quot;one China&quot; principle upon assuming office it would create such a crisis with China he&#39;d have little time to do anything else.

&quot;We believe this is not something the shrewd Trump wants to do.&quot;

Arms supplier

Washington remains Taiwan&#39;s most important political ally and sole arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, the irony of which was not lost on Trump.

&quot;Interesting how the US&nbsp;sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call,&quot; Trump said in another tweet.

Trump has eschewed tradition in other calls with foreign leaders since he won the US&nbsp;election, prompting the White House to encourage him to make use of the diplomatic expertise and counsel of the State Department.

The White House said after Trump&#39;s call that &quot;longstanding policy&quot; on China and Taiwan had not changed.

&quot;We remain firmly committed to our &#39;one China&#39; policy,&quot; said Ned Price, a national security spokesman for President Barack Obama. &quot;Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-Strait relations.&quot;

Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway said on CNN that Trump was &quot;well aware of what US&nbsp;policy has been&quot; on Taiwan.

Administration officials said Trump&#39;s team did not alert the White House about the call ahead of time.

Advisers to the Republican president-elect have indicated that he is likely to take a more robust policy towards China than Obama, a Democrat, and that Trump plans to boost the US&nbsp;military in part in response to China&#39;s increasing power in Asia. However, details of his plans remain scant.

Trump lambasted China throughout the US&nbsp;election campaign, drumming up headlines with pledges to slap 45 percent tariffs on imported Chinese goods and label the country a currency manipulator on his first day in office.

Earlier this week, Trump spoke to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and praised him, according to the Pakistani leader&#39;s office, as a &quot;terrific guy&quot;.

Islamabad and Washington have seen relations sour in recent years over US&nbsp;accusations that Pakistan shelters Islamist militants who kill U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, a charge denied by the South Asian nation.

Trump also invited Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte to the White House next year during what a Duterte aide said was a &quot;very engaging, animated&quot; phone conversation. Duterte has openly insulted Obama, who cancelled a planned meeting with him in September.

A statement issued by Trump&#39;s transition team made no mention of the invitation.

(Reuters)

The 10-minute telephone call with Taiwan's leadership was the first by a US president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter

US President-elect Donald Trump spoke by phone with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, the first such contact between the two sides in nearly four decades, but China dismissed the call as a "petty action" by the self-ruled island it claims as its own. The 10-minute telephone call with Taiwan's leadership was the first by a US president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, acknowledging Taiwan as part of "one China". Hours after Friday's call, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi blamed Taiwan for the exchange, avoiding what could have been a major rift with Washington just before Trump assumes the presidency. "This is just the Taiwan side engaging in a petty action, and cannot change the 'one China' structure already formed by the international community," Wang said at an academic forum in Beijing, state media reported. "I believe that it won't change the longstanding 'one China' policy of the United States government." In comments at the same forum, Wang noted how quickly President Xi Jinping and Trump had spoken by telephone after Trump's victory, and that Trump had praised China as a great country. Wang said the exchange sent "a very positive signal about the future development of Sino-US relations", according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry's website. Taiwan was not mentioned in that call, according to an official Chinese transcript. Trump said on Twitter that Tsai had initiated the call he had with the Taiwan president. "The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!" he said. Alex Huang, a spokesman for Tsai, said: "Of course both sides agreed ahead of time before making contact." Trump and Tsai noted that "close economic, political and security ties exist between Taiwan and the United States", the Trump transition team said in a statement. Taiwan's presidential office said the two discussed strengthening bilateral interactions and establishing closer cooperation. Later on Saturday, Taiwan's policy making body on China said Beijing must look at the call "calmly". "We call on China to face the new situation in the Asia-Pacific region and work with us towards developing a benign cross-strait relationship," the Mainland Affairs Council said in a statement, referring to the stretch of water between the two sides. China considers Taiwan a wayward province and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under its control. Relations between the two sides have worsened since Tsai, who heads the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, was elected president in January. China's influential state-run tabloid the Global Times said in an online editorial that if Trump really overturned the "one China" principle upon assuming office it would create such a crisis with China he'd have little time to do anything else. "We believe this is not something the shrewd Trump wants to do." Arms supplier Washington remains Taiwan's most important political ally and sole arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, the irony of which was not lost on Trump. "Interesting how the US sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call," Trump said in another tweet. Trump has eschewed tradition in other calls with foreign leaders since he won the US election, prompting the White House to encourage him to make use of the diplomatic expertise and counsel of the State Department. The White House said after Trump's call that "longstanding policy" on China and Taiwan had not changed. "We remain firmly committed to our 'one China' policy," said Ned Price, a national security spokesman for President Barack Obama. "Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-Strait relations." Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway said on CNN that Trump was "well aware of what US policy has been" on Taiwan. Administration officials said Trump's team did not alert the White House about the call ahead of time. Advisers to the Republican president-elect have indicated that he is likely to take a more robust policy towards China than Obama, a Democrat, and that Trump plans to boost the US military in part in response to China's increasing power in Asia. However, details of his plans remain scant. Trump lambasted China throughout the US election campaign, drumming up headlines with pledges to slap 45 percent tariffs on imported Chinese goods and label the country a currency manipulator on his first day in office. Earlier this week, Trump spoke to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and praised him, according to the Pakistani leader's office, as a "terrific guy". Islamabad and Washington have seen relations sour in recent years over US accusations that Pakistan shelters Islamist militants who kill U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, a charge denied by the South Asian nation. Trump also invited Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte to the White House next year during what a Duterte aide said was a "very engaging, animated" phone conversation. Duterte has openly insulted Obama, who cancelled a planned meeting with him in September. A statement issued by Trump's transition team made no mention of the invitation. (Reuters)

China blames Taiwan for president's 'petty' phone call with Trump