US President Joe Biden says America will defend Taiwan if it attacks China | world News

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Joe Biden said the United States would defend Taiwan if China attacked it, in an apparent shift in long-running policy.

The president said America has an “obligation” to go to the aid of the island, which has complained of mounting military and political pressure from Beijing, which has a territorial claim.

But the White House later said there was no change in the situation.

Image: The president’s comments came amid rising tensions. Pic: AP

Washington has long pursued a policy of “strategic ambiguity” about whether to intervene militarily to protect Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack.

But when asked at a city council meeting if the United States would enter, Biden said, “Yes, we have an obligation to do that.”

Back in August, an administration official was forced to insist that US policy on Taiwan had not changed after the president appeared to indicate that the United States would defend the island from aggression.

Following Biden’s latest comments, a spokesperson said: “We will continue to support Taiwan’s self-defense, and we will continue to oppose any unilateral changes to the status quo.”

In response to Biden’s statement, the Presidential Office in Taiwan said his position has not changed and will remain the same and will not succumb to pressure or “advance recklessly” when he gets support.

“Taiwan will show resolute determination to defend itself,” said presidential office spokesman Xavier Chang, who also noted the Biden administration’s continued “strong” support.

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Can China go to war with Taiwan?

Biden said people shouldn’t worry about Washington’s military might because “China, Russia, and the rest of the world know we’re the most powerful military in world history.”

He added: “What you have to worry about is whether or not they will engage in activities that will put them in a situation where they might make a huge mistake.

“I don’t want a cold war with China. I just want China to understand that we won’t back down, that we won’t change any of our views.”

Taiwan Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng said this month that tensions between Taiwan and China are at their worst in more than 40 years, noting that Beijing will be able to launch a “large-scale” invasion by 2025.

Photo: China accused the US of “dangerous actions”. Pic: AP

Taiwan says it is an independent country and will defend its freedoms and democracy.

China criticized what it described as “collusion” between Washington and Taipei.

The country’s ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, said Beijing was seeking “peaceful reunification” with Taiwan.

He said: We are not rioters.

“On the contrary, some countries – the United States in particular – are taking dangerous measures that are leading the situation in the Taiwan Strait in a dangerous direction.

“Draging Taiwan to war is certainly not in anyone’s interest.”

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