Biden says ready to use military force to protect Taiwan, China warns US to ‘play with fire’

Taiwanese artillery drills to fire live ammunition, simulating China’s attack – Photo: REUTERS

Spokesman Chu Feng Lien of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council said Washington was using the “Taiwan card” to contain Beijing and “will be burned”.

China’s state news agency Xinhua quoted Zhou as urging the US to “stop any comments or actions that violate” the principles previously established between Beijing and Washington.

Earlier, speaking on May 23 from Tokyo within the framework of an Asia tour, US President Joe Biden answered “yes” clearly when asked by reporters whether the US would intervene militarily to protect the country. defend Taiwan if China attacks.

“That’s the commitment we made,” Biden said. “We accept the One China policy, but the idea of ​​controlling Taiwan by force is not appropriate.”

This is not the first time Mr. Biden has spoken out about his security commitment to Taiwan. BILLIONLast 10 years, the US president also said that Washington would defend Taiwan if Beijing tried to take over the island.

Also on May 23, Pentagon officials emphasized that Mr. Biden’s comments did not signal a change in US position.

“As the president has said, our One China policy has not changed. The president reiterated that policy and the US commitment to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,” he said. Lloyd Austin said.

Standing beside Austin, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley declined to answer questions about the possible risks in defending Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack.

When asked if he would support sending US troops to Taiwan, General Milley said: “I will give timely advice to the president and secretary of defense.”

China has always considered Taiwan a part of its territory and vowed to use force to gain control of the island if necessary.