TAIPEI - Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said on March 28 it believes the United States’ support will remain unchanged no matter who wins the presidential election, but it will stay on guard for Taiwan-China issues being “manipulated” as the campaign heats up.

China regards the self-governing Taiwan as its territory to be reunified. Taiwan rejects China’s sovereignty claims.

Taiwan received strong backing from the Trump administration, including high-profile visits and arms sales, which have continued under the government of President Joe Biden.

In a report to lawmakers, Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry noted that even though the US election’s outcome was not certain, there was cross-party support for the island.

Taiwan will continue to have balanced exchanges with both parties, but needs to be on guard for how Taiwan-China issues may feature in the election, the ministry added.

“As the US election heats up, we should beware of cross-Taiwan Strait issues being manipulated as a political issue of defence and attack,” it said, without elaborating.

Meeting Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen in Taipei on March 28, US congressman Jack Bergman, a Republican who sits on the House Armed Services Committee and chairs its Intelligence and Special Operations Subcommittee, said his delegation was there to show Congress’ continued support for Taiwan.

“We will continue to assure our colleagues that this strategic relationship is key for the future security of the region,” Mr Bergman said.

“This includes a strong Taiwan maritime strategy and how we can work together on shared goals to counter China on their increasingly aggressive actions in the region.”

Mr Bergman, who is being accompanied by Democratic congressmen Donald Norcross and Jimmy Panetta, said they would be meeting “US personnel” while in Taiwan, but did not specify if they were military or civilian.

The United States is Taiwan’s most important arms supplier and international supporter, despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties. REUTERS