"Over the past few days, Taiwan and the United States exchanged views over the issue through diplomatic channels. The sentiment is frank and friendly," foreign minister James Huang told reporters.

He said that "as there is a still gap between the two sides regarding the understanding of the issue, the United States remains concerned over this."

Chen, who favours formal independence from China, touched a diplomatic nerve after he said during a Lunar New Year event that he would "seriously consider" abolishing mainly symbolic guidelines on reunification with China as well as the council that created them.

Eliminating them could fuel Beijing's suspicions that he is pushing for independence for the island which China regards as part of its territory. The two split in 1949 after a civil war.

Chen also suggested Taiwan should reapply to join the United Nations in the name of "Taiwan" instead of the island's official title, "Republic of China". He also called for putting a new constitution to a vote later this year.

Chen's remarks surprised US officials, who reiterated Washington's opposition to Taiwan's independence and to changes in the status quo across the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan on Thursday played down Chen's hardline comments saying the remarks were not intended to suggest that Taiwan should move toward independence.

China replaced Taiwan in the UN in 1971. Taiwan's annual attempts to gain a UN seat since 1993 have failed because of objections from Beijing.

The United States, which is obliged by law to offer Taiwan a means of self-defense if its security is threatened, is the leading arms supplier to the island despite switching diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979.

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