United States President Joe Biden said on Monday that the U.S. military would be deployed to help defend Taiwan against potential aggression from mainland China.
The Democrat made the remarks in a series of critical comments regarding the Asian superpower while in Tokyo. Biden's statement, which was made during his first visit to Japan since taking office with the attendance of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, appears to be a departure from the existing U.S. policy of so-called strategic ambiguity.
US Military To Defend Taiwan
The situation comes as China considers the democratic island as part of its territory, which it has repeatedly called a portion of "one China." Authorities also said that it is the most sensitive and crucial issue in its ties with the United States.
The comment was made in response to a reporter asking Biden during a joint news conference with Kishida if the U.S. would respond, in military fashion, to defend Taiwan if it were to be attacked. The Democrat answered with a simple, "Yes." He continued to say that it was the commitment that his administration made, as per Reuters.
The U.S. president said, "We agree with a one-China policy. We've signed on to it and all the intended agreements were made from there. But the idea that, that it can be taken by force, just taken by force, is just not, is just not appropriate." He also said that he expected such an event or situation will not happen or be attempted.
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A White House spokesperson said that the Biden administration's policy has not changed and noted that Biden reiterated the U.S.'s commitment to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The spokesperson added that the president reiterated his administration's commitment under the Taiwan Relations Act to provide the island nation with the military means to defend itself.
According to Fox News, the One China policy refers to the U.S.'s recognition of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China. However, it only acknowledges, without endorsing, Beijing's claims that Taiwan is part of China.
China's Claims of the Island Nation
On the other hand, Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his belief that Ukraine is a part of historic Russia similar to how President Xi Jinping views Taiwan as part of China. Biden said in October that the U.S. would move to defend Taiwan if China attacks.
However, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson responded by saying, "No one should underestimate the strong resolve, determination, and capability of the Chinese people to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. China has no room for compromise."
As Biden's trip to East Asia began on Friday, China responded by launching military exercises in the disputed South China Sea. Asia expert Gordon Chang, who is the author of "The Great US-China Tech War," said that Biden's administration was trying to backtrack previous indications that America is afraid of China.
Taiwan is located fewer than 177 kilometers off the coast of China and has, for more than seven decades, been governed separately from the mainland. However, this has not stopped China's ruling Communist Party from claiming it as its own despite never having controlled it, CNN reported.
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