Amid what Taiwan's defense minister Chiu Kuo-cheng has just described as the worst tensions with China in 40 years following four days of consecutive PLA jet incursions into contested airspace near Taiwan, President Biden apparently sought to defuse tensions in his Tuesday call with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
President Xi has been very clear with his rhetoric: Taiwan belongs to China, and any foreign power that would meddle in the relationship could face the full military wrath of China.
As a series of increasingly aggressive military drills ratchets up tensions between Beijing and Taipei, President Biden - preoccupied with the battle at home over his domestic agenda - threw reporters for a loop late Tuesday when he told them after a long day of stumping behind the domestic agenda that he had spoken to President Xi about Taiwan and that they had agreed to abide by the "Taiwan agreement".
"I've spoken with Xi about Taiwan. We agree...we'll abide by the Taiwan agreement," he said.
Over the last couple of years, Beijing has made a stink about arms sales to Taiwan under the Trump Administration, with more deals expected under Biden and his successors.
Biden's remarks on the call were brief but clear while talking to reporters on the White House lawn.... Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that it had sought "Clarification" from the US about Biden's comments, and was reassured that American policy toward Taiwan had not changed, and that the US commitment to them was "Rock solid" - including the obligation to help maintain its military defense.
"Facing the Chinese government's military, diplomatic and economic threats, Taiwan and the United States have always maintained close and smooth communication channels," Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said, noting recent US comments of concern about China's activities.
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
Biden Sows Confusion By Claiming He Spoke To President Xi About The "Taiwan Agreement"
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