WASHINGTON D.C.: A leading U.S. official has said that even if Taiwan is excluded from President Joe Biden's Asian economic initiative, the U.S. still plans to strengthen its economic partnership with the island.

While en route to Japan with President Biden this week, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said, "Taiwan will not be part of the launch" of Biden's Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity.

"But we are looking to deepen our economic partnership with Taiwan, including on high-technology issues, including on semiconductors and supply chains," he added.

Taipei had expressed an interest in joining the talks.

Biden will participate in a summit of the "Quad" group of countries, meeting with leaders of Japan, India and Australia, on his first trip to Japan since taking office.

The participants at the summit are expected to discuss issues of regional security, including China's claim to Taiwan.

Aboard Air Force One, Sullivan told reporters, "We do not want to see unilateral changes to the status quo and we certainly do not want to see military aggression. And we do want that message coming not just from us, but from a range of allies and partners, both in the region and beyond."