“US to defend Taiwan from Chinese invasion”, says Biden
US President Joe Biden said US troops will defend Taiwan from a Chinese invasion, the strongest indication so far of a decade-long shift in Washington’s policies from strategic ambiguity to democracy on the island.
Asked in a television interview whether the US military would defend the self-governing island if China invaded, Biden said he would if there was “an unprecedented attack”.
Asked for further clarification, Biden confirmed that US personnel would come to defend Taiwan, unlike Ukraine, which provided Washington with material support and military equipment to push Russia back without deploying US troops.
Biden’s comments are his latest to question the longstanding U.S. policy towards Taiwan, enshrined in the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, which obliges Washington to help Taipei defend itself, but does not promise to provide troops or support, participate directly in a conflict.
During a trip to Japan in May, Biden appeared to confirm that he would use force to defend Taiwan if it was attacked by China. He described the defense of the island as a “commitment we have made”.
While many observers took Biden’s comments as a sign of an end to strategic ambiguity towards Taiwan, White House officials have repeatedly urged that US policy towards the island be kept unchanged. A White House spokesperson said US policy hasn’t changed despite Biden’s latest remarks.
“The president has already said so, even in Tokyo earlier this year,” the spokesman said. He also made it clear that our Taiwan policy has not changed. This remains true ”.
In his interview with CBS 60 Minutes, Biden reiterated that Washington does not support Taiwanese independence and engages in the “One-China” policy, under which the United States officially recognizes Beijing but not Taipei.
Although he did not officially recognize Taipei, Washington was among Taiwan’s strongest international supporters. Earlier this month, the US State Department approved the sale of $ 1.1 billion worth of arms to the island, while a Senate committee voted to push legislation that would provide an additional 4. $ 5 billion in security assistance and to impose sanctions on Beijing for any attempt to take the island by force.
China claims Taiwan as a province to be “reunited” with the mainland, by force if necessary, and has accused the United States of disrupting regional stability and encouraging Taiwanese separatism.
Following Biden’s comments in May, the Chinese Foreign Ministry warned that “no one should underestimate the determination, unwavering will and strong ability of the Chinese people to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
“US to defend Taiwan from Chinese invasion”, says Biden
Matthew Kroenig, deputy director of the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, said Biden’s stance on Taiwan’s defense is “crystal clear.”
“As long as he is president, US policy is to defend Taiwan. This is the right policy because it contributes to China’s deterrence and helps guide US military planning, “Kroenig told sources, “I think America has the guts for this fight. Hitler and Imperial Japan bet that as World War II approached, America didn’t have the guts to fight. How did that turn out? is it past for you?Washington has a strong strategic interest in maintaining peace and stability and a free and open order in the Indo-Pacific.
