US will defend Taiwan if the island is attacked by China

The United States will provide Taiwan with military support in case of an attack by China. This is what US President Joe Biden said at a town hall event hosted by CNN on Thursday (21 October). Although the US maintains close ties with Taiwan, including arms supplies, this is the first time that Biden has confirmed that he will militarily defend the island in the event of an attack by China.

China considers the de facto independent Taiwan as 'a renegade province' that needs to be returned to Chinese control and has recently increased the military pressure on the island. A record number of Chinese military aircraft recently crossed Taiwan's 'defence zone' without permission.

Biden is not seeking a protracted conflict with Chinese President Xi Jinping, he said. He did, however, twice confirm that the US would protect Taiwan in the event of an attack by China. "I don't want a cold war with China. I just want China to understand that we're not going to step back, that we're not going to change any of our views., the US president said.

 

source: commonspace.eu with agencies
photo: The US President Joe Biden. Getty Images

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
European leaders set out their plan for Ukraine

European leaders set out their plan for Ukraine

The leaders of Germany, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and United Kingdom, together with the President of the European Council, and the President of the European Commission, o  Monday (15 December) issued a statement, outlining their plan for Ukraine. In their statement, Chancellor Merz, Prime Minister Frederiksen, President Stubb, President Macron, Prime Minister Meloni, Prime Minister Schoof, Prime Minister Støre, Prime Minister Tusk, Prime Minister Kristersson, Prime Minister Starmer, as well as President Costa and President von der Leyen spoke about "Peace for Ukraine". The Leaders welcomed significant progress on President Trump’s efforts to secure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. They also welcomed the close work between President Zelenskyy’s and President Trump’s teams as well as European teams over the recent days and weeks. They agreed to work together with President Trump and President Zelenskyy to get to a lasting peace which preserves Ukrainian sovereignty and European security. Leaders appreciated the strong convergence between the United States, Ukraine and Europe. Leaders agreed that ensuring the security, sovereignty, and prosperity of Ukraine was integral for wider Euro-Atlantic security. They were clear that Ukraine and its people deserved a prosperous, independent, and sovereign future, free from fear of future Russian aggression. Both the US and European leaders committed to work together to provide robust security guarantees and economic recovery support measures for Ukraine in the context of an agreement on ending the war. This would include commitments to: Provide sustained and significant support to Ukraine to build its armed forces, which should remain at a peacetime level of 800,000 to be able to deter conflict and defend Ukraine’s territory. A European-led ‘multinational force Ukraine’ made up from contributions from willing nations within the framework of the Coalition of the Willing and supported by the US. It will assist in the regeneration of Ukraine’s forces, in securing Ukraine’s skies, and in supporting safer seas, including through operating inside Ukraine. (Click the image to read the statement in full).

Popular