China sees Biden’s comments as a ‘serious violation’ of US commitments

China on Monday condemned “Serious violationThe diplomatic pledges from Washington come after comments by US President Joe Biden that the US would defend Taiwan in the event of Chinese intervention.

During an interview that aired this weekend, American channel CBS asked Joe Biden “Americans will defend Taiwan in case of Chinese aggression“. He replied: “Yes, if there is an unprecedented attack».

Read moreJoe Biden will defend Taiwan against Chinese aggression

These words of Joe Biden “A serious violation of the US’s important commitment not to support Taiwan independenceChinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning responded.It sends misguided, radical support to separatist forces campaigning for Taiwan independence.“, she underlined in front of the press.

China believes that Taiwan, with a population of 23 million, is one of the provinces that has yet to be unified with the rest of its territory since the end of the Chinese Civil War (1949). In seven decades, the Communist military never managed to capture the island, which was under the control of the Republic of China — the regime that once ruled mainland China and now rules only Taiwan.

Unofficial relations with Taiwan

It is noteworthy that through three joint press releases signed in 1972, 1979 and 1982, the United States undertook to recognize the Beijing government as the sole legitimate representative of China. Washington severed its diplomatic ties with Taipei in 1979.

Joe Biden’s comments come after a remarkable rapprochement between the US and Taiwan, at a time when Beijing-Washington relations are at their lowest point in decades.

Last Wednesday, a bill providing the first direct US military aid to Taiwan passed a major milestone in Congress. A few days ago, Washington announced a $1.1 billion arms sale to Taipei.

principle”A China» Maintained

In early August, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the island drew Beijing’s ire. “We urge the US side to fully recognize the extreme importance and high sensitivity of the Taiwan issue. So as not to further damage Sino-US relations.Mao Ning said.

Asked by AFP, a White House spokesman said on Sunday that US policy on Taiwan was “no”.didn’t change».

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