Advertisement
Asked about US defence of Taiwan, Antony Blinken repeats commitment to weapons sales only
- In wake of Joe Biden’s confusing remarks, secretary of state says Washington wants to ‘make sure Taiwan has the ability to defend itself from any aggression’
- Blinken will not discuss any potential US response if mainland China were to attack the self-ruled island
Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
43
Robert Delaneyin Washington
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday declined to discuss how the Pentagon might respond in the event of a military attack against Taiwan by China.
In a CNN interview from Rome, where he was attending the G20 Leaders’ Summit, Blinken was asked whether the swift clarification of President Joe Biden’s remarks that Washington had a “commitment” to protect Taiwan against mainland forces meant the US “would not come to Taiwan’s defence if attacked”.
“What I can tell you is that we remain committed, resolutely committed, to our responsibilities under the Taiwan Relations Act, including making sure that Taiwan has the ability to defend itself from any aggression,” Blinken responded, citing the legislation that authorises US weapons sales to Taipei.
00:56
China urges US President Joe Biden to act cautiously over Taiwan, warns ‘no room for compromise’
China urges US President Joe Biden to act cautiously over Taiwan, warns ‘no room for compromise’
Blinken’s response followed confirmation by Taiwan’s leader Tsai Ing-wen last week that American troops were training Taiwanese forces on the self-ruled island, which Beijing considers a renegade province. Tsai also said that she believed the US would help defend Taiwan against a military invasion by the mainland.
Advertisement
The interview took place after Blinken’s meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday in Rome, when he reportedly told his counterpart that the US has not changed its one-China policy, under which Washington officially recognises Beijing rather than Taipei.
Three joint communiques signed by Beijing and Washington in the 1970s formalised the diplomatic switch and allowed “cultural, commercial and other unofficial relations” between America and Taiwan.
US relations with Taiwan are also guided by the “six assurances” that Washington made to Taipei in 1982 to disregard Beijing’s opposition to American arms sales to the island.
Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x