SIMIC

China claims Taiwan its own territory and the country has recently put increased pressure on Taiwan, including assigning fighter jets into the island's air defence zone.

Meanwhile, the US has approved new arms sales, sent high-level delegations, and pledged 750,000 Covid vaccine doses to Taiwan.

Said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken: "I know we are engaged in conversations with Taiwan, or soon will be, on some kind of framework agreement,"

"We've continued to provide significant equipment and sales to Taiwan for that purpose. We have real concerns about the increased aggression that the government in Beijing has shown toward Taiwan," said Mr Blinken.

Said Taiwan expert Bonnie Glaser: "Senior Biden administration officials have been encouraging USTR to hold a round of the TIFA talks, and Taipei is eager to do this as soon as possible," Ms Glaser said, adding that China was likely to oppose a TIFA resumption out of concern that the talks could eventually lead to a free trade agreement and embolden other countries, such as the United Kingdom, to launch trade negotiations with Taiwan.

"China also will see such talks as part of a Biden strategy to strengthen ties with Taiwan and what they see as a diminishing US commitment to One China," said Ms Glaser.