President Joe Biden on Monday vowed that US forces would defend Taiwan should China attempt to invade the self-ruled island and forcefully take control over it, warning that Beijing was already “flirting with danger”.
Biden made the firm remarks in Tokyo where he is currently meeting with Japan’s prime minister ahead of a summit on Tuesday; his strongest so far on concerns about China’s expanding economic and military power in the region.
Washington and Japan who are allies against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have continuously hinted that their firm stand against the invasion should serve as a warning to other counties, especially China, about the consequences of one-sided military action.
The US President sent the warning after discussions with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, where they agreed to closely monitor Chinese naval activity and notable joint Chinese-Russia actions. Biden’s reply was an affirmative “Yes!” when asked if Washington would step in militarily to defend Taiwan if China attempted an invasion.
“That’s the commitment we made,” Biden added.
“We agreed with the One China Policy, we signed on to it…but the idea that it can be taken by force is just not appropriate, it would dislocate the entire region and would be another similar to Ukraine,” Biden said.
On the Russian invasion, the US President, who has been heavily involved in global efforts to impose sanctions on Russia said President Vladimir Putin needs to pay a “long-term price” in order to send the right message against such actions in the future.
