US President Joe Biden said on Monday that he would be ready to use force to defend Taiwan in a series of critical remarks he made about China in Tokyo, which he said did not change US self-governing policy. Island.
Biden’s comment during his first visit to Japan since taking office, as seen by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, appears to be a departure from existing US policy of so-called strategic ambiguity towards Taiwan.
China considers the Democratic Island its territory, part of “one China”, and says it is the most sensitive and important issue in its relations with the United States.
When a reporter asked Biden during a joint news conference with the Japanese leader if the United States would defend Taiwan if attacked, the president said yes.
“This is the commitment we made,” he said.
Taking Taiwan by force “not appropriate”
“We agree with China’s policy. We have signed it and all the planned agreements made from there. But the idea that it can be taken by force, just taken by force, just isn’t, is just not appropriate. “
He added that he expects such an event not to happen or to make an attempt.
Following Biden’s comments, a White House official said there was no change in policy toward Taiwan. China’s foreign ministry has said the United States should not defend Taiwan’s independence.
Taiwanese pilots listened to President Cai Ying-wen deliver a speech during a visit to an air base in Hsinchu City, northern Taiwan, in April. (Chiang Yin-in / Associated Press)
The president’s aides to national security have relocated and appear to be studying Biden closely as he answers questions about Taiwan. Several looked down as he took on what seemed like an unequivocal commitment to Taiwan’s defense.
Biden made a similar comment about defending Taiwan in October. A White House spokesman said at the time that Biden was not announcing a change in US policy, and one analyst called the comment a “blunder.”
Despite the White House’s insistence that Monday’s comments did not change US policy, Grant Newham, a retired U.S. Marine colonel and now a researcher at the Japan Strategic Research Forum, said the point was clear.
“The United States will not sit on the sidelines”
“This statement deserves to be taken seriously,” Newham said. “It is a clear enough statement that the United States will not sit down if China attacks Taiwan.
While Washington is required by law to provide Taiwan with remedies, it has long pursued a policy of “strategic uncertainty” over whether to intervene militarily to protect Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack.
Biden also made other difficult comments about China’s growing stance in the region, saying he hoped Russian President Vladimir Putin would pay the price for his invasion of Ukraine in part to show China what it will face if it invades Ukraine. Taiwan.
“They are trying to tighten their policies, but not necessarily provoke China,” said James Brown, an associate professor at Temple University in Japan.
Biden’s remarks are also likely to overshadow the central part of his visit to Japan, the launch of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, a broad plan that provides an economic pillar for US engagement with Asia.
His trip includes meetings with the leaders of Japan, India and Australia, in the Group of Four.
Japan is ready to increase its defense capabilities
Kishida stressed Tokyo’s readiness to take a more stable defensive stance, something the United States has long welcomed.
Kishida said he had told Biden that Japan would consider various options to increase its defense capabilities, including the ability to retaliate, signaling a potential change in Japan’s defense policy.
That would include a “significant increase” in the defense budget, Kishida said.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attended a press conference with US President Joe Biden at the state-run guest house at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo on Monday. (Nicolas Datiche / Associated Press)
Japan’s role in any conflict over Taiwan will be to enable a US operation and help the United States protect its assets, said Yoji Koda, a retired naval admiral of the Navy’s self-defense forces and a former navy commander.
“Japan’s role in this would be significant. Japan is a factor in this deterrence,” he said.
Kishida said he had received support from Biden for Japan to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council amid growing calls for reform of the council. China and Russia are permanent members.
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