WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden said the US would defend Taiwan if China attacked, in an apparent departure from a long-held policy, BBC has reported.
“Yes, we have a commitment to do that,” he said when asked during a townhall if the US would defend Taiwan.
However, a White House spokesman later told some US media outlets that his remarks did not signify a change in policy.
Taiwan reacted by saying Biden’s statement would not change its own position with regards to China, BBC has said.
The US has long practised “strategic ambiguity” when it comes to the thorny issue of defending Taiwan.
China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province, one that it may take back by force one day if necessary, whereas Taiwan claims that it is a sovereign state.
The US has no official diplomatic ties with Taiwan, but sells arms to it as part of its Taiwan Relations Act, which states that the US must help the island defend itself.
(With inputs from BBC)
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