Biden vows to defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack

U.S. President Joe Biden has said that the country is committed to protecting Taiwan if attacked by China – a position that appears to contradict US “strategic ambiguity” policy.

Asked twice CNN If China attacks, the United States will defend Taiwan, Biden responded positively. “Yes, we are committed to doing this,” he said.

The U.S. president has issued similar statements in the past, saying only the White House has not changed long-term U.S. policy for the island.

The United States supplies Taiwan with defensive weapons, but it is unclear whether it could intervene militarily in the event of a deliberate Chinese attack.

Under the “one China” policy, the United States recognizes China’s claim to sovereignty over Taiwan. In recent weeks, Beijing has sent dozens of warplanes near Taiwan’s Air Defense Identity Zone (ADIZ), and Chinese President Xi Jinping has said a “reunification” between China and Taiwan is inevitable.

Biden said he was not concerned about a deliberate military confrontation with China – but that he was concerned about an unplanned increase.

“China, Russia and the rest of the world know we have the most powerful military in world history. Don’t worry if they are too powerful,” he said. “

Citing his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Biden said he did not want to engage in a protracted conflict.

I spent more time talking with Xi Jinping than any other world leader. That’s why you hear people say, ‘Biden wants to start a new Cold War with China’. I don’t want the Cold War with China. I want China to understand that we are not going to back down and change our views.

A White House official clarified Biden’s comments about Taiwan this evening, saying that Biden had “not announced any change in our policy” about China and Taiwan.

“US security relationship with Taiwan is governed by the Taiwan Relations Act. We will maintain our commitment under the law, we will continue to support Taiwan’s defense and we will continue to oppose unilateral changes to the current situation,” the official said.

(Translated text. Read in original English Here)