In defiance of Biden’s recent remark about defending Taiwan, Beijing on Monday warned that it was ready to defend its national interests over Taiwan.
Biden, who is currently in Tokyo to meet regional allies, had earlier warned China that the US would defend Taiwan militarily if it invaded the territory to seize control over it, describing China’s relentless stance over the island as “flirting with danger”.
Although China’s Communist Party has never tried to take control over self-ruled Taiwan, it considers the island as part of its territory and has promised to capture it one day, even if it requires force.
Biden’s comment about defending Taiwan was met with rebuke in Beijing, as foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters that “Taiwan is an alienable part of China’s territory”, and maintained that the Taiwan issue is “purely an internal affair for China”.
“On issues touching on China’s core interests of sovereignty and territorial integrity, China has no room for compromise or concession,” he said.
Biden had hinted at a correlation between the response of Western nations to Russia’s assault on Ukraine and Beijing’s intent to launch military action against Taiwan, but Wang declared that China would always defend its national interests with the force of its 1.4 billion people.
Wang stated: “No one should underestimate the firm resolve, staunch will, and strong ability of the Chinese people in defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
