A Chinese PLA J-16 fighter jet takes off at an undisclosed location in this undated file photo released by Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense.
China said on Friday that there is “no room” for compromise or concessions on the Taiwan issue, following a remark by US President Joe Biden that the US is committed to defending the island if attacked.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a daily briefing after Biden made his remarks at a forum hosted by CNN that China has long claimed the island is its territory.
China recently threatened to bring Taiwan under its control by flying warplanes near the island and rehearsing a beach landing.
“When it comes to issues concerning China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and other core interests, there is no room for China to compromise or make concessions, and anyone determined to defend the Chinese people, The strong will and strong ability should not be underestimated. National sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Wang said.
“Taiwan is an inseparable part of China’s territory. The matter of Taiwan is purely an internal matter of China which does not allow any foreign interference.
Biden’s comments on Thursday were seen as “strategic ambiguity” Washington has maintained on how it will respond to an attack on the self-governing island republic.
The United States “should be vigilant with its words and actions on the Taiwan issue, and not send any false signals to the separatist forces of Taiwan’s independence, so as not to seriously damage Sino-US relations and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.” ” Wang said.
In his comments, Biden said the US did not want a new Cold War, but expressed concern about whether China was “going to engage in activities that would put them in a position where they could make a grave mistake.” Huh.”
“I just want to explain to China that we are not going to back down, we are not going to change any of our views.” Biden said. Asked if the US would come to Taiwan’s defense if it were attacked, he replied: “Yes, we have a commitment to do so.”
In Taipei, a spokesman for freedom-minded President Tsai Ing-wen said the US had shown its support for Taiwan through concrete actions and that the island’s 23 million citizens would not surrender under pressure or act in haste.
Spokesperson Chang Tun-han said, “Taiwan will demonstrate our determination to defend itself and continue to work with countries with similar values to make a positive contribution to the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region.” Will keep.”
In 1949, China and Taiwan separated during the civil war. The US cut off formal diplomatic ties with Taipei in 1979 to recognize Beijing. The US does not openly oppose China’s claim on Taiwan, but is committed by law to ensuring that the island can defend itself and treats all threats to it as matters of “grave concern”.
Under President Xi Jinping, who is also the leader of the Communist Party and head of the armed forces, China is increasing military, diplomatic and economic pressure on Taiwan. On its National Day weekend earlier in the month, China sent a record 149 military aircraft in strike group formations to the southwest of Taiwan, prompting Taiwan to scramble the planes and activate its air defense missile systems.
China recently conducted beach landing exercises in its part of the nearly 160-kilometre (100-mile)-wide Taiwan Strait, described as a warning to Tsai’s administration, like a plane intrusion.
The US has strengthened its support for Taiwan with military sales. State Department spokesman Ned Price said this month that US support for Taiwan is “rock solid”. “The US is also very clear that we are committed to deepening our relationship with Taiwan,” Price said.
On Wednesday, Biden’s choice for ambassador to Beijing, Nicholas Burns, told lawmakers considering his nomination that Americans should “rely on our strength” when dealing with the rise of China, a nation that said the US and His associates can manage.
Burns echoed the Biden administration’s stance on cooperating with China where possible, but also including its policies toward the semi-autonomous region of Taiwan and Hong Kong, where it has virtually eliminated dissident voices through harsh legislation and arrests. given, condemned many of its actions.
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