U.S. Would Defend Taiwan If China Invades, Biden Reiterates

President Joe Biden says US forces would defend Taiwan if China tries to invade the self-ruled island claimed by Beijing as part of its territory, adding to displays of official American support for the island democracy, Johnson Lai reported for the Associated Press (AP).

Photo Insert: Biden said “yes” when asked during an interview broadcast Sunday on CBS News’s “60 Minutes” program whether “US forces, US men and women, would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion.”

Biden said “yes” when asked during an interview broadcast Sunday on CBS News’ “60 Minutes” program whether “US forces, US men and women, would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion.”

CBS News reported the White House said after the interview US policy hasn’t changed. That policy says Washington wants to see Taiwan’s status resolved peacefully but doesn’t say whether US forces might be sent in response to a Chinese attack.

Tension is rising following efforts by Chinese President Xi Jinping’s government to intimidate Taiwan by firing missiles into the nearby sea and flying fighter jets nearby and visits to Taipei by political figures including US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry on Monday expressed “sincere gratitude” to Biden for “affirming the US government’s rock-solid promise of security to Taiwan.”

Taiwan will “resist authoritarian expansion and aggression” and “deepen the close security partnership” with Washington and other governments “with similar thinking” to protect regional stability, the statement said.

Washington is obligated by federal law to see that Taiwan has the means to defend itself but doesn’t say whether US forces would be sent. The US has no formal relations with the island but maintains informal diplomatic ties.

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