TAIPEI, 9 February 2021 (TON): Taiwan’s leader state its ties with Washington remains solid over the change of government from Trump’s to Biden’s, as the U.S. Navy asserts presence in the South China Sea.

On Tuesday, President Tsai Ing-wen that US military support remains firm even as China sends increasing numbers of military aircraft into Taiwan’s southwestern airspace.

“I would like to reiterate that Taiwan will not back down when receiving pressure and will not rashly advance when receiving support,” Tsai said in an address.

“As long as the Beijing authorities are willing to resolve conflicts, we also want to have a dialogue with them under the conditions of equality and dignity,” Tsai said.

Tsai’s remarks came as the US Pacific Fleet conducted exercises in the South China Sea combining ships and planes from the aircraft carriers Theodore Roosevelt and Nimitz. The exercises were aimed at “increasing interoperability between assets as well as command and control capabilities,” the US 7th Fleet said in a statement.

“The ships and aircraft of the two strike groups coordinated operations in a highly trafficked area to demonstrate the US Navy’s ability to operate in challenging environments.” it said.

China has installations built on reefs and atolls hidden under sand and concrete and claims ownership over the sea while, Taiwan holds highly contested Taiping Island that joins Malaysisa, Philippines and Vietnam in challenging China wanting to exert control over the South China Sea, a significant trade route.