Taiwan said Friday that the United States was actively considering its military needs amid silence from Washington on the island's requests to buy F-16 fighter jets to balance off China.

Taiwan's information minister, Philip Yang, said on a visit to Washington that President Ma Ying-jeou was committed to better relations with Beijing but that the island needed weapon upgrades as China ramps up military spending.

Yang brushed aside questions on whether Taiwan has formally submitted a request for the military upgrade, saying that Ma and other government leaders have made their position known numerous times.

"I believe the message is clear and the intentions are clear. The United States is actually in the process of reviewing what are the defense needs of Taiwan," Yang told a news conference.

The United States only recognizes Beijing, which considers Taiwan a territory awaiting reunification. But under a 1979 act of Congress, the United States is required to provide Taiwan arms to defend itself.

The trade publication Defense News reported last month that President Barack Obama's administration has asked Taiwan not to submit a formal letter for jets, thereby allowing the United States to say it cannot process the request.

The United States last year approved $6.4 billion in other weapons for Taiwan, including Patriot missiles and Black Hawk helicopters. China strongly condemned the move and temporarily cut military ties with the United States.

Relations are now resuming in earnest with Admiral Mike Mullen, the top US military officer, visiting Beijing this week. Vice President Joe Biden is slated for a major visit to China next month.

Ma, who is up for re-election next year, has tried to improve relations with the mainland, notably by sealing a trade agreement. But a series of studies have found that China has an increasing military advantage.

"The US must help Taiwan to level the playing field. Negotiation with a giant like mainland China is not without its risks," Yang said.

"The right leverage must be in place, otherwise Taiwan cannot credibly maintain its equal footing at the negotiation table," he said.

Ma's critics accuse him of jeopardizing Taiwan's de facto independence. China's nationalists fled to the island in 1949 after losing the civil war to the communists.

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