China said Friday that there was no room for compromise or concessions on the Taiwan issue. This follows a statement by Joe Biden, the U.S. president, that stated that the U.S. will defend the island in the event of an attack.
After Biden’s comment at a CNN forum, Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, reiterated China’s long-standing claim that the island was its territory at a daily briefing.
China recently escalated its threat to take Taiwan under its control by using force by flying warplanes close to the island and practicing beach landings.
Wang stated that China cannot compromise on issues related to its sovereignty, territorial integrity, or other core interests. He also said that China should not underestimate the determination, firm will, and strong ability of the Chinese people in order to protect their national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“Taiwan is an inalienable portion of China’s territory. Wang stated that Taiwan is an internal matter of China and does not allow for foreign intervention.
Biden’s remarks on Thursday were seen as stretching Washington’s “strategic uncertainty” over how it would react to an attack on the self-governing island republic.
Wang stated that the U.S. should be cautious in its statements and actions regarding Taiwan and not send any negative signals to separatist forces of Taiwan independence. This will prevent serious damage to relations between China and the U.S., as well as peace and stability within the Taiwan Strait.
Biden stated that the U.S. does not want another Cold War, but expressed concern over whether China would engage in activities that could put them in a situation where they might make a mistake.
Biden stated, “I want to make China realize that we aren’t going to step back and we aren’t going to change any views.” When asked if the U.S. would defend Taiwan in case of attack, Biden replied that he had a commitment to do so.
When asked Friday if the U.S. would protect Taiwan in the event of an attack by China, U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said he wouldn’t discuss hypothetical scenarios but added, “Nobody wants cross-Strait problems to come to blows. President Biden is not going to have it happen.
Tsai Ingwen, a spokesperson for the independence-minded President Tsai said that the U.S. had shown support for Taiwan by taking concrete actions. The 23 million residents of Taiwan would not bow to pressure or act in haste.
“Taiwan will show our firm determination to defend itself and continue working with countries with like values to make positive contributions toward the Taiwan Strait’s stability and peace,” spokesperson Chang Tun-han stated.
China and Taiwan were divided during a civil conflict in 1949. In 1979, the U.S. ended diplomatic relations with Taipei to recognize Beijing. Although the U.S. does no openly dispute China’s claim on Taiwan, it is legally committed to ensuring Taiwan can defend itself and to addressing any threats to Taiwan as “grave concern”.
China’s President Xi Jinping is also the Communist Party leader and headof the armed forces. He has increased military, diplomatic, and economic pressure on Taiwan. China sent a record number of military aircraft southwest of Taiwan during the National Day weekend. This prompted Taiwan to activate its air defense missile system and scramble its aircraft.
China recently conducted beach landing exercises along its side of Taiwan Strait, which is roughly 160 kilometers (100 miles) wide. This was described by China as a warning to Tsai.
With military sales, the U.S. has increased its support for Taiwan. Ned Price, spokesperson for the State Department, stated this month that American support is “rock solid” for Taiwan. He also said that the U.S. had “also been very explicit that we are committed in strengthening our ties with Taiwan.”
Nicholas Burns, Biden’s nominee for ambassador to Beijing told lawmakers Wednesday that Americans should “have faith in our strength” as they deal with China’s rise. He said that the U.S. could manage the country and so should its allies.
Burns agreed with the Biden administration’s position on China cooperation where possible, but condemned many of its actions toward Taiwan and the semiautonomous territory Hong Kong. There, it has effectively eliminated dissident voices by stiff legislation and arrests.
