King Pu-tsung ,Taiwan's representative to the United States, said on Monday that Washington's stance toward the former British colony remains the same despite China's constant push, according to the Taiwan News Channel Focus Taiwan.
The envoy said Washington remains committed to providing Taiwan with necessary military weapons as stated in the Taiwan Relations Act, passed in 1979.
The U.S. arms sales to Taiwan have always been opposed by the Beijing government so much so that the issue has almost jeopardized the relationship between China and the United States.
President Xi Jinping had raised the issue of Taiwan with President Barack Obama during the latest summit in California.
The envoy's comment regarding the U.S.'s stance toward Taiwan probably signals that Washington still backs Taiwan's quench for greater freedom despite its expanding trade relationship with Beijing.
King said that Xi raised the issue of Taiwan with Obama, but the U.S. president clearly stated that Washington's stance on Taiwan was firm and they would continue to provide it with necessary defensive weapons.
The U.S. government in1979 had agreed to the tag of "one China" policy but the Taiwan Relations Act obligates the Pentagon to help defend the island if needed.
The U.S. government has sold Patriot missiles, Black Hawk helicopters and communications equipment worth $6 billion to Taiwan.
Despite constant criticism from Beijing, the Pentagon remains Taiwan's main arms supplier.
