President Joe Biden said during Thursday night’s scripted CNN Town Hall that the United States military would aid Taiwan in defending itself from a Chinese assault, but the Chinese Community Party said there’s “no room for compromise” on its claim to Taiwan.
“Yes. Yes, we have a commitment to do that,” Biden said in response to a question about America’s willingness to defend Taiwan.
“China, Russia, and the rest of the world knows we have the most powerful military in the history of the world,” Biden said according to Fox News. “Don’t worry about whether we’re going to – they’re going to be more powerful.”
Biden warned China, which has sent jet fighters and nuclear bombers into Taiwanese airspace, not to further escalate the situation.
“What you do have to worry about is whether or not they’re going to engage in activities that will put them in a position where they may make a serious mistake,” Biden said.
The Chinese Communist Party blames the Biden administration for sending American military personnel and equipment into Taiwan.
The People’s Republican of China has claimed Taiwan (officially The Republic of China) as its own since the two nations split in 1949.
Biden’s confidence in the American military has not shaken the Chinese Communist Party’s commitment to retake the island nation.
“No one should underestimate the strong resolve, determination and capability of the Chinese people to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” a spokesperson at the Chinese Foreign Ministry said. “China has no room for compromise.”
The Foreign Ministry told the Biden administration to “be cautious in words and deeds” and to “refrain from sending any wrong signal to secessionists.”
A White House spokesperson clarified Biden’s comments after the town hall.
“The U.S. defense relationship with Taiwan is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act,” the spokesperson said. “We will uphold our commitment under the Act, we will continue to support Taiwan’s self-defense, and we will continue to oppose any unilateral changes to the status quo.”
