One day before the presidential election in Taiwan, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with a high-ranking official of the Chinese Communist Party. He held talks with Liu Jianchao in Washington on Friday to ensure China respects the democratic process.

Blinken is also believed to have emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the region and reaffirmed America's commitment to its One China policy.

China has opposed any official contact between the US and Taiwan and has accused the Biden administration of supporting independence. President Xi Jinping himself told Biden during their meeting in California in November to "stop arming Taiwan" and stressed his country will achieve unification.

US defense officials have made clear they will deter China, accusing Beijing of waging a campaign of military, diplomatic and economic pressure against Taiwan.

The White House released a statement on Thursday saying China will be "the provocateur" if it chooses to respond to the election outcome with "military pressure." The US is planning to send an "unofficial delegation" to Taiwan sometime after the vote.