The dialogue, scheduled to take place by the end of this month in the US, is expected to focus on specific measures for weapons provision and military drills.

Officials from the two sides will discuss details of security cooperation under a regular framework known as the “Monterey talks” – last held in autumn 2021 in the US, according to Taiwanese media. As a general rule, neither plans for the talks nor details are publicly disclosed.

One of the sources said the key theme for the upcoming dialogue would be weapons support from the US, with Washington aiming to prioritise the sale of weapons that would be effective in blocking potential Chinese landing operations on the island.

The US Congress is considering a plan to provide several billion dollars of financial support to Taiwan so the island can procure weapons, Nikkei reported last month, citing three sources connected to the legislature.

Taiwan was a hot theme at the weekend’s Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore.

“Now, as a part of our One China policy, we will continue to fulfill our commitments under the Taiwan Relations Act,” US defence secretary Lloyd Austin said on Saturday. “And that includes assisting Taiwan in maintaining a sufficient self-defence capability.”

Austin also warned of “growing coercion” from Beijing on Taiwan, pointing to “a steady increase in provocative and destabilising military activity near Taiwan”.

Chinese defence minister Wei Fenghe on Sunday hit out at the US for its Indo-Pacific strategy and perceived “threats against China,” while saying the notion of Taiwan independence was a “delusion”.

“Let me make this clear – if anyone dares to secede Taiwan from China, we will not hesitate to fight,” Wei said. “We will fight at all costs and we will fight to the very end. This is the only choice for China.”

Wei added that China would “definitely realise its reunification” with Taiwan.