Categories: Top Stories

Biden Says US Will Defend Taiwan If China Attacks

The United States would come to Taiwan’s defense and has a commitment to defend the island China claims as its own, U.S. President Joe Biden said on Thursday, though the White House said later there was no change in policy towards the island.

“Yes, we have a commitment to do that,” Biden said at a CNN town hall when asked if the United States would come to the defense of Taiwan, which has complained of mounting military and political pressure from Beijing to accept Chinese sovereignty.

While Washington is required by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, it has long followed a policy of “strategic ambiguity” on whether it would intervene militarily to protect Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack.

In August, a Biden administration official said U.S. policy on Taiwan had not changed after the president appeared to suggest the United States would defend the island if it were attacked.

A White House spokesperson said Biden at his town hall was not announcing any change in U.S. policy and “there is no change in our policy”, but declined further comment when asked if Biden had misspoken.

“The U.S. defense relationship with Taiwan is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act. We will uphold our commitment under the Act, we will continue to support Taiwan’s self-defense, and we will continue to oppose any unilateral changes to the status quo,” the spokesperson said.

Taiwan’s presidential office, responding to Biden’s remarks, said their position remains the same, which is it will neither give in to pressure nor “rashly advance” when it gets support.

Taiwan will show a firm determination to defend itself, presidential office spokesperson Xavier Chang said in a statement, noting also the Biden administration’s continued concrete actions to show its “rock-solid” support for Taiwan.

‘MOST POWERFUL MILITARY’
Biden said people should not worry about Washington’s military strength because “China, Russia and the rest of the world knows we’re the most powerful military in the history of the world,”

“What you do have to worry about is whether or not they’re going to engage in activities that would put them in a position where they may make a serious mistake,” Biden said.

“I don’t want a cold war with China. I just want China to understand that we’re not going to step back, that we’re not going to change any of our views.”

Military tensions between Taiwan and China are at their worst in more than 40 years, Taiwan’s Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng said this month, adding that China will be capable of mounting a “full-scale” invasion by 2025. read more

Taiwan says it is an independent country and will defend its freedoms and democracy.

China says Taiwan is the most sensitive and important issue in its ties with the United States and has denounced what it calls “collusion” between Washington and Taipei.

Speaking to reporters earlier on Thursday, China’s United Nations Ambassador Zhang Jun said they are pursuing “peaceful reunification” with Taiwan and responding to “separatist attempts” by its ruling Democratic Progressive Party.

“We are not the troublemaker. On the contrary, some countries – the U.S. in particular – is taking dangerous actions, leading the situation in Taiwan Strait into a dangerous direction,” he said.

“I think at this moment what we should call is that the United States to stop such practice. Dragging Taiwan into a war definitely is in nobody’s interest. I don’t see that the United States will gain anything from that.”

Reuters

Follow us on:

AriseNews

Recent Posts

Iran’s Supreme Leader Threatens ‘Crushing Response’ To US And Israeli Actions Amid Ongoing Tensions

Iran's Supreme Leader has warned the US and Israel of a "crushing response" following an…

19 mins ago

Kemi Badenoch Wins Conservative Leadership, Vows Party Renewal, A Return to Traditional Values

Kemi Badenoch has pledged to "renew" the Conservative Party and reclaim voters as she was…

5 hours ago

Peter Obi Criticises Court Ruling Halting Rivers State Funds, Calls for Reversal

Peter Obi has criticised the court ruling withholding funds to Rivers State, calling it disturbing…

11 hours ago

AGF Fagbemi Takes Over Prosecution of #EndBadGovernance Protesters Amidst Allegations of Treason

AGF Fagbemi has taken over the prosecution of 114 #EndBadGovernance protesters, addressing alleged treason and…

11 hours ago

NNPC, ONHYM Advance African Atlantic Gas Pipeline Project Amid Regional Collaboration

NNPC and Morocco's ONHYM has advanced the $26 billion African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, emphasising regional…

11 hours ago

TCN Restores Power Supply Through Gombe-Damaturu-Maiduguri Line

TCN has restored power on the Gombe-Damaturu-Maiduguri line, fully operational again after vandalism halted service.

11 hours ago