Biden: US 'strategic ambiguity' policy on Taiwan unchanged
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This contradictory stance comes a day after asserting the US’ readiness to defend the island against a “Chinese invasion”.
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President Biden leaves Air Force One as he arrives at the Osan Air Base, South Korea, on May 20. (Reuters)
US President Joe Biden said, on Tuesday, that Washington's "strategic ambiguity" policy for Taiwan remains in place.
His remarks came a day after asserting the US’ readiness to defend the island against a “Chinese invasion”.
When asked if the policy on Taiwan was now dead, he commented by saying "No".
Beijing, in response, said it was ready to defend its national interests over Taiwan.
"No one should underestimate the firm resolve, staunch will, and strong ability of the Chinese people in defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity," said Wang Wenbin, a foreign ministry spokesperson.
Biden's latest statement follows similar insistence from top US officials that a decades-old approach to Taiwan must be maintained.
This includes arming the island for self-defense while recognizing China's legal sovereignty and expressing "strategic ambiguity" about whether US troops would ever intervene.
The assurances came after the US president said "yes" at a press conference in Tokyo on Monday when asked if Washington would be willing to intervene militarily in Taiwan's defense.
It is worth mentioning that Biden is in Tokyo for talks with Quad leaders from Australia, India, and Japan. He previously visited South Korea as part of a trip to strengthen key US trade and military alliances in Asia.
A history of ambiguity
The United States severed its ties with Taipei City in 1979 to establish formal diplomatic ties with Beijing. The US closed its embassy in Taipei and severed all diplomatic ties with the island.
China sees Taiwan, which is off its east coast, as part of its territory. The two Chinese territories split in 1949, during the Chinese Civil War. During the war, the Chinese Communist Party took control of mainland China and the nationalists formed an opposition government in Taiwan.
Relations grew tense between China and the island recently over a comment made by Chinese President Xi Xinping. The leader pledged to peacefully reunify Taiwan with China; however, he did not indicate that Beijing would use force. This received a displeased response from Taipei, as the island asserted that only the people of Taiwan are able to decide their future.
