US Would Respond 'Militarily' If China Attacked Taiwan, , Biden Says.
President Joe Biden made the remarks while in Tokyo on May 23 during a news conference.
Biden was asked if he was "willing to get involved militarily to defend Taiwan if it comes to that?".
Yes.
That’s the commitment we made, President Joe Biden, via CNN.
We agree with the One China policy.
We signed on to it, and all the attendant agreements made from there, President Joe Biden, via CNN.
... but the idea that it can be taken by force, just taken by force, is [just not] appropriate, President Joe Biden, via CNN.
The White House quickly attempted to frame the President's remarks as consistent with known U.S. policy.
As the President said, our policy has not changed.
He reiterated our One China policy and our commitment to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, Unnamed White House Official, via CNN.
He also reiterated our commitment under the Taiwan Relations Act to provide Taiwan with the military means to defend itself, Unnamed White House Official, via CNN.
China responded, articulating its "strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition" to Biden's statements.
.
On issues concerning China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and other core interests, there is no room for compromise, Wang Wenbin, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman, via CNN.
We urged the US side to earnestly follow the One China principle … be cautious in words and deeds on the Taiwan issue, Wang Wenbin, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, via CNN.
Biden clarified that the U.S. stance is to support One China, but that support does not extend to aggression from China.
We support the One China policy [...] but that does not mean [...] that China has the [...] jurisdiction to go in and use force to take over Taiwan, President Joe Biden, via CNN.
A spokesperson the the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan welcomed Biden's comments.
[Taiwan] expresses sincere welcome and gratitude to President Biden and the United States government for reiterating its rock solid commitment to Taiwan, Joanne Ou, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, via CNN
