Beijing lodges protest over Biden’s remarks on Taiwan, saying they violate one-China principle

Beijing has lodged an official protest over US President Joe Biden’s remarks saying that American troops would defend Taiwan if mainland Chinese forces were to attack the self-ruled island. Biden made his comments in an interview with the news programme 60 Minutes that aired on September 18, 2022. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning accused the US of seriously violating the one-China principle and commitment not to support Taiwan independence. Sino-US tensions are already high in the wake of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in August. Beijing regards the island as a renegade province to be reunited by force if necessary. Mainland officials have warned against official ties with Taiwan, which most countries do not recognise as a sovereign state. The US says it abides by the one-China principle, but opposes moves to take Taiwan by force.

Source: Reuters