China has warned that the United States is “playing with fire” after President Joe Biden said that Washington would defend Taiwan militarily if the self-governed island is attacked by Beijing.
The Chinese State Council’s Taiwan Affairs Office said on Monday that the US is “using the ‘Taiwan card’ to contain China, and will itself get burned”.
State outlet Xinhua cited the office’s spokesperson Zhu Fenglian as saying that he urges the US to “stop any remarks or actions that violate” previously established principles between Beijing and Washington.
Speaking from Tokyo during a trip to Asia, Biden had answered with an unambiguous “yes” when asked by reporters whether the US would “get involved militarily” to defend Taiwan if it is attacked by China.
Pressed further about the apparent shift in US policy, Biden said: “That’s the commitment we made.”
“Look, here’s the situation: We agree with the ‘One China’ policy; we’ve signed on to it and all the attendant agreements made from there,” the US president added. “But the idea that it can be just taken by force is just not appropriate.”
While Biden is prone to gaffes, this is not the first time he has voiced commitment to Taiwan’s security.
During a town hall hosted by CNN last October, the US president also said the US would come to Taiwan’s defence if China tries to capture the island.
Beijing still claims Taiwan, whose formal name is the Republic of China, as a province and has not ruled out unifying the two sides by force.
Washington has warm ties with Taiwan, but it officially pursues a “One China” policy, which states there is a single China but does not define it.
Meanwhile, Chinese Foregin Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Monday that China expressed strong dissatisfaction with the US and resolute opposition to Biden’s words.
Chinese Foregin Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Monday that China expressed strong dissatisfaction with the US and resolute opposition to Biden’s words.
“No one should underestimate the resolve, the will, and the ability of the Chinese people to defend their national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” said Wang.
“Do not stand on the opposite side of the 1.4 billion Chinese people. We urge the US side to abide by the one China principle and the provisions of the three China US joint communiques, honour its important commitment of not supporting ‘Taiwan independence’,” he said.
“China will take resolute actions to safeguard its sovereignty and security interests… We always deliver what we promise,” he said.
“No one should underestimate the resolve, the will, and the ability of the Chinese people to defend their national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” said Wang.
“Do not stand on the opposite side of the 1.4 billion Chinese people. We urge the US side to abide by the one China principle and the provisions of the three China US joint communiques, honour its important commitment of not supporting ‘Taiwan independence’,” he said.
“China will take resolute actions to safeguard its sovereignty and security interests… We always deliver what we promise,” he said.
— AlJazeera/CCTV
