US President Joe Biden has unequivocally reaffirmed the United States’ unwavering commitment to ensuring Taiwan’s security. He has made it explicitly clear that the US is prepared to employ military force should China attempt to unilaterally alter the “status quo” across the Taiwan Strait. In a recent interview with Time magazine, President Biden emphasised that while the US does not support Taiwan seeking independence, it will respond decisively, potentially including the use of military force, if China attempts to change the status quo in the region unilaterally.
Should China attempt to alter the ‘status quo unilaterally’, President Biden has made it clear that the US will continue to bolster Taiwan’s defensive capabilities. This Stance has been reinforced through ongoing consultations with regional allies. Notably, CIA Director Bill Burns has warned that Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered the military to be prepared for a potential invasion of Taiwan by 2027, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Since assuming office in 2021, President Biden has consistently reiterated the US’s unwavering commitment to defend Taiwan in the face of any aggression from China. This commitment was most notably expressed during a CNN town hall in Baltimore on Oct. 21, 2021, when Biden, in response to a question from host Anderson Cooper, unequivocally stated: “Yes, we commit to doing that.”
Taiwan said Biden’s comments reflected the US’ ongoing commitment to regional peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, adding that it would continue cooperating with the US on those efforts. “China frequently exerts pressure on Taiwan through grey zone tactics, which has aroused great concern in the international community,” the ministry said. “Taiwan will firmly defend freedom, democracy and security in the region and continue to improve its self-defence capabilities,” it added.
The tensions between the United States and China over Taiwan continue to simmer despite the recent agreement between Biden and Xi to ease them. The inauguration of Taiwan’s new President, Lai Ching-te, on May 20 has only added fuel to the fire. In response, China launched a two-day-long military drill surrounding Taiwan, which it has labelled as a ‘punishment’ for what it perceives as ‘separatist acts,’ as reported by CNN.
China’s drill is prompted by Lai’s inaugural speech, in which he called on Beijing to stop intimidating the island nation over which China continues to make its claim. The United States has maintained unofficial relations with Taiwan and also supplies the island with arms to maintain sufficient self-defence capabilities.
In the interview with the US magazine, Biden also termed China’s signature Belt and Road global infrastructure drive a “nuisance graveyard initiative.” The US president said that expanding cooperation with its European and Asian allies and strengthening relations with developing countries will be critical in maintaining US leadership in the international community.
Team BharatShakti
