As tensions have escalated lately between Taipei and Beijing, US President Biden informed on Tuesday he agreed with Chinese President Xi Jinping to abide by the Taiwan agreement while discussing the heated political issue, Euractive reports.
Since there’s no such thing as ‘Taiwan Agreement’, a fact that also puzzled the media, Biden was apparently referring to Washington’s long-standing “one-China policy” that officially recognizes Beijing rather than Taipei, as well as the Taiwan Relations Act, passed by Congress in 1979.
The latter documents makes clear that the US decision to establish diplomatic ties with Beijing instead of Taiwan is based on the expectation that Taiwan’s future will be determined by peaceful means.
It however outlined the US would continue to provide support to the “governing authorities on Taiwan”, including exerting pressure for Taiwan to be admitted to international organizations, as well as through regular arms sales including advanced fighter jets, cruise missiles, and torpedoes.
Biden’s comments prompted demand for clarification from the Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry,that was reassured that US policy towards Taiwan had not changed and that US remains “rock solid” on its commitment to help Taiwan maintain its defenses.
While Taiwan blames China for the tensions stressing it’s an independent country that will defend its freedoms and democracy, Beijing claims Taiwan is Chinese territory which should be taken by force if necessary.
In the escalating war of words over Taipei and Beijing’s decision to join a pan-Pacific trade pact, Taiwan’s government pointed that Beijing has no right to oppose its bid to join the pact, naming China an “arch criminal” intent on bullying Taiwan
In its latest war muscle flexing in the area, China sent 148 Chinese air force planes in the southern and southwestern part of its air defense zone over a four-day period beginning on its key patriotic holiday, the National Day marked last Friday.
The US expressed its concerns on Sunday with regard to China’s moves urging Beijing to end its military activities near Taiwan, which it considered destabilizing and undermining regional peace and stability.
During his previous phone call with Xi on September 10, first in seven months, Biden also stressed that he had no intention of changing the US’ “One-China Policy” that holds to the principle that the China is the legitimate representative of the Chinese people, and not the Republic of China (ROC), the formal name of the government in Taipei.
That policy is a foundation for every nation’s bilateral relationship with Beijing.
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