Biden: We will defend Taiwan militarily if China "invades"
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The US seems to leave behind its ambiguous policies regarding Taiwan, giving a sharp, provoking stance.
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Joe Biden.
On Monday, US president Joe Biden said that the United States will defend Taiwan militarily if "China were to invade the island," warning that China is "flirting with danger."
In a meeting in Tokyo, when asked about whether the US will intervene militarily against a so-called "Chinese invasion", Biden said "That's the commitment we made."
"We agreed with the One China policy, we signed on to it... but the idea that (Taiwan) can be taken by force is just not appropriate," Biden said in a contradictory statement, as the One China policy states that Taiwan is a part of the sovereign mainland. "It will dislocate the entire region and be another action similar to what happened in Ukraine."
Read more: Xi says improper handling of Taiwan issues will hit China-US ties
Although Biden formally endorses the One China policy, it has unofficial contacts and a de facto embassy on the island, and has also recently sent weapons to the Taiwanese armed forces.
In recent times, the US president has drawn parallels between "helping" Ukraine defeat Russia and "helping" Taiwan in the event that China "invades".
It's "important that Putin pay a price for his barbarism in Ukraine", Biden said. "Russia has to pay a long-term price."
Biden believes that China is waiting to see if pressure on Russia will wean. "What signal does that send to China about the cost of... attempting to take Taiwan by force?" he asked.
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 spokesman.
#BREAKING | #Chinese Foreign Ministry in response to #Biden: We call on the #UnitedStates to take caution when talking about the #Taiwan issue. #China pic.twitter.com/qmXDXLpgoy
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) May 23, 2022
China warns Sullivan against interference in Chinese affairs
Last week, during a phone call between National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Chinese Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Yang Jiechi, the latter said China will take drastic measures to protect its sovereignty and national interests if the US interferes in the country's internal affairs.
"China will take decisive actions to protect its sovereignty and security interests, and we will make our words a reality," Yang said, as quoted by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Washington, according to Jiechi, made a series of "incorrect actions and statements interfering in China's internal affairs and damaging its national interests."
The situation surrounding Taiwan is of high cruciality and sensitivity against the backdrop of American and Chinese relations, according to Yang. If Washington keeps playing the Taiwan card and continues to go down the "wrong path," it will ultimately result in a "dangerous situation."
"We urge the US to clearly understand the situation, strictly honor its own commitments, and respect the One China principle and the three joint China-US communiques," Yang said.
