BEIJING (dpa-AFX) – The Chinese government reacted with great anger to US President Joe Biden’s assurance to provide assistance to Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack. Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning told the Beijing press on Monday that the statements were a “grave violation” of the “one China principle” and the commitments made by the United States towards Beijing. The US side is sending “the completely wrong signal” to Taiwan’s independence forces. “China is firmly against it.”
Biden had assured the island’s Democratic Republic of military support, including US troops, in the event of an attack. “Yes, if there really was an unprecedented attack,” Biden said in a televised interview that aired Sunday when asked, “Would US forces defend the island?” The question followed: “So unlike Ukraine, to put it bluntly: would US forces (…) defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion?” Biden also answered yes to this question.
The Communist leadership of Beijing considers Taiwan to be part of the People’s Republic and threatens to conquer it. The US has pledged to Taiwan’s ability to defend itself, which so far has mostly meant arms deliveries. Biden’s predecessors deliberately left open the question of US troops’ military assistance in the event of an attack.
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