TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan reaffirmed American support for Taiwan during two days of talks with Foreign Minister Wang Yi (王毅) from Aug. 27-28.

Sullivan reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. He also said the US was committed to defending its Indo-Pacific allies and expressed concern about China’s “destabilizing actions” in response to Philippine coast guard activities in the South China Sea, according to a White House statement. 

The two officials agreed to keep lines of communication open and planned for a phone call between US President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping (習近平) soon.  

Sullivan and Wang also discussed cooperation in combating illicit synthetic drugs, continued repatriation of undocumented migrants, and law enforcement.

The meeting comes as tense relations between the US and China continue due to opposing views on regional and global issues, including Taiwan and freedom of navigation. 

Last week, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson sailed through the Taiwan Strait as a demonstration of America’s “commitment to upholding freedom of navigation for all nations as a principle,” the US Navy’s Seventh Fleet said.  

The US remains Taiwan’s top ally despite China’s opposition. Washington has bolstered defense ties with Taipei in recent years with more arms sales and military cooperation. The Pentagon is seeking to expand special forces training with its Taiwanese counterparts to improve the East Asian nation’s deterrence capabilities.

Under a new proposal, US Special Operations Command would be able to provide training and equipment to foreign partners to counter “potential future threats,” Business Insider reported.

Enhanced training with American troops would increase their deterrence capabilities. Green Berets and Marine Raiders specialize in training US partners and could help Taiwanese troops turn the tide in a potential cross-strait conflict.