The Chinese government has responded to President Biden’s recent pronouncements that the U.S. would defend Taiwan if China attempted to attack it.
Biden’s commitment: During CNN’s town hall on Oct. 21, Biden said his administration is committed to defending Taiwan, echoing his previous statements that deviate from the longstanding U.S. policy of “strategic ambiguity.”
- “China, Russia and the rest of the world know we have the most powerful military in the history of the world,” Biden said. “Don’t worry about whether they’re going to be more powerful. But you do have to worry about whether or not they’re going to engage in activities that will put them in a position where they may make a serious mistake.”
- Biden also talked about his relationship with Xi, reiterating that he doesn’t intend to enter a prolonged conflict with China but wants “China to understand that we are not going to step back and change any of our views.”
- According to CNN, Taiwan’s foreign ministry released a statement Friday saying, “Our government will continue to strengthen our self-defense capabilities to fully defend Taiwan’s democracy… national security and people’s well-being.”
- While the U.S. has assisted Taiwan by providing weapons, it has maintained military tactics ambiguously toward a possible Chinese attack.
- Following Biden’s statement, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki clarified that “there is no change in our policy” and that the country’s defense relationship with Taiwan remains “guided by the Taiwan Relations Act.”
- “We will uphold our commitment under the Act, we will continue to support Taiwan’s self-defense, and we will continue to oppose any unilateral changes to the status quo,” the official was quoted as saying.
China’s response: China, which claims Taiwan as part of its country under the “one country, two systems” policy, was quick to rebut that there is “no room for compromise” on its territorial claims on the island.
- On Friday, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson released a statement via state-run platform Global Times: “No one should underestimate the strong resolve, determination and capability of the Chinese people to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
- The Chinese government’s mouthpiece further blasted Biden in an editorial that mocked the current administration as “the most incapable and degenerate in the country’s history.”
- “The U.S.’ national strength has greatly lost its relative advantage, so the cards of trade and human rights Washington plays to counter China have almost no effect at all. Meanwhile, the military deterrence from the Chinese mainland is also containing the Taiwan card the U.S. plays,” the article read. “The U.S. then has come to this cheap shot as a “new weapon” to launch an alternative offensive against China.”
Taiwan’s defense minister has previously warned that tensions with China are currently at their worst in 40 years after a “record number” of Chinese military jets began entering its air defense zone earlier this month, NextShark previously reported.
