US President Joe Biden has said that the US would defend China if the superpower invaded the island of Taiwan.
The comments were made this week during an interview with 60 Minutes, in which Biden was asked what he’d like to tell Chinese President Xi about the USA’s commitment to its ally Taiwan.
JUST IN – Biden: American troops would defend Taiwan if invaded by China.pic.twitter.com/Ah3llGIXX4
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) September 19, 2022
“We agree with what we signed on to a long time ago,” the Democrat President replied.
“That there’s a One China policy, that Taiwan makes their own judgements about their independence. We’re not encouraging their independence, that’s their decision.”
Asked if US forces would defend the island from Chinese attack, Biden replied: “Yes, if in fact there was an unprecedented attack.”
At this point the interviewer sought to clarify that Biden was talking about engaging China in open warfare over a potential Taiwan invasion.
“So unlike Ukraine, to be clear sir, US forces, US men and women, would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion?” asked the CBS interviewer.
“Yes,” replied Biden flatly.
JUST IN – Biden: American troops would defend Taiwan if invaded by China.pic.twitter.com/Ah3llGIXX4
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) September 19, 2022
The announcement comes amid ongoing tensions between China and the island of Taiwan, with the Chinese military doing what they call “training exercises” around Taiwanese airspace, pledging more in future.
China said it had completed its military exercises around Taiwan but would regularly conduct patrols and drills in the area, apparently confirming Taipei's and Washington's fears that Beijing intended to normalise a closer military presence https://t.co/1UGYCs1r8h
— Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) August 10, 2022
According to Taiwan’s defence ministry, 17 fighter jets flew across the Taiwan Strait – an unofficial buffer between the two landmasses – raising tensions significantly.
This took place after US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, from Biden’s own party, took an unprecedented trip to Taiwan, which China claims was a provocation encouraging Taiwanese independence.
Again we must ask: why now? What purpose does it serve the #US #Dems during an election year to provoke conflict with #China? And with a failing domestic policy agenda? Oh! Got it! The action of distraction! But is America fooled? For the world isn’t! https://t.co/YFFZuBwb4w
— Zhang Meifang (@CGMeifangZhang) August 7, 2022