Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: Gaza's hospitals recorded six deaths due to starvation and malnutrition in the past 24 hours, all of them adults

US official vows commitment to Taiwan 'defense'

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 3 Oct 2022 09:56
5 Min Read

Washington has long maintained a policy of "strategic ambiguity" about whether it would intervene militarily if China attacked Taiwan.

  • x
  • Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (Archive)
    Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. (Archive)

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said, on Sunday, that the US will assist Taiwan in "developing the capability to defend itself" against a “Chinese invasion”.

"We're committed to helping Taiwan develop the capability to defend itself," Austin said in an interview with CNN.

Washington has long maintained a policy of "strategic ambiguity" about whether it would intervene militarily if China attacked Taiwan.

In an interview with CBS last month, Biden said that if there was an "unprecedented attack," US troops would defend Taiwan.

CNN’s Fareed Zakaria asked Austin if the US military was preparing to send troops to Taiwan in response to Biden's comments, but Austin declined to answer.

"The American military is always prepared to protect our interests and live up to our commitments. I think the president was clear in providing his answers as he responded to a hypothetical question," Austin said.

"But, again, we continue to work to make sure that we have the right capabilities in the right places to ensure that we help our allies maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific," he said.

Washington's "strategic ambiguity" is allegedly intended to deter a “Chinese invasion” while also discouraging Taiwan from inciting Beijing by formally declaring independence.

When asked if Biden's comments meant the policy would change, a White House spokesperson said at the time: "The president has previously stated this, including in Tokyo earlier this year. He also stated that our Taiwan policy has not changed. That is still true."

Biden was asked whether he would commit US troops to Taiwan during a visit to Japan in May, and he said "yes." "That's the commitment we made," he added.

Austin told CNN he saw no "imminent threat of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan”.

However, increased military activity across the Taiwan Strait indicated that Beijing was attempting to establish a "new normal," he claimed.

Washington severed formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1979, recognizing Beijing as China's sole representative. At the same time, the US maintained a decisive, if delicate, role in supplying Taiwan with lethal weapons.

Related News

Trump slaps 20% tariff on Taiwanese goods

US scraps Taiwan defense meeting ahead of China trade talks

A law passed by Congress requires the United States to sell military supplies to Taiwan in order to ensure its self-defense against Beijing's vastly larger armed forces.

From bad to worse

The situation around Taiwan escalated following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei. China considers Taiwan part of its territory and opposes any direct official foreign contacts with the island.

Pelosi's visit led China to announce ending cooperation with the United States on a number of issues such as climate change, anti-drug efforts, and military talks.

It is noteworthy that the meeting between the two top diplomats was preceded by another meeting between the foreign ministers of the Quad grouping of Australia, India, Japan, and the US, which issued a statement, referring to the Indo-Pacific, saying that "we strongly oppose any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo or increase tensions in the region."

The senior US official claimed that since Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, "China has taken a number of provocative steps that have by design acted to change the status quo."

Another US official confirmed that the US Vice President, Kamala Harris, discussed the Taiwan file during bilateral meetings with Japanese and South Korean leaders during her visit. 

It is noteworthy that Xinhua news agency reported on September 21 that Xi urged for the better use of successful experience in the reform of national defense and the armed forces and striving for new horizons for strengthening the armed forces through reform.

Recent updates reveal that in the last two days, western military activities have been ongoing despite China's warnings of retaliating against further provoking actions.

The US 7th Fleet issued last Tuesday a statement saying that two military warships, a USS Higgins and a Canadian HMSC Vancouver, transited in the "international waters" of the Taiwan Strait.

The term "international waters" has been used by the US and its allies several times to continue their provocations against China.

On his account, Biden has lately said that US soldiers would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese "invasion".

In response, the Chinese Embassy in Washington expressed China's "strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the remarks by the US side. The US president has made such remarks several times and every time the administration would clarify that there is no change in its policy on Taiwan." 

This comes after the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee pushed forward last week the Taiwan Policy Act of 2022, which will provide Taiwan with $4.5 billion in security aid and a $2 billion loan guarantee for the purchase of military equipment. 

The bill will provide Taiwan with aid over four years, in addition to designating the island as a "Major Non-NATO Ally".

In addition, the legislation will also direct the US government to engage with the Taiwanese government as a legitimate representative of the population on the island, prohibiting restrictions and limits regarding engagements between US officials and their Taiwanese counterparts.

  • Washington
  • US
  • Taiwan
  • China
  • Lloyd Austin

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS