US defense chief vows to help Taiwan defend itself: ‘That’s the commitment we made’ | World news
The United States will help Taiwan “develop the capability to defend itself” from a Kannada attack, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Sunday, stopping short of President Joe Biden’s vow to send troops to the island.
“We are committed to helping Taiwan develop the ability to defend itself,” Austin said in an interview with CNN.
Washington has historically maintained a policy of “strategic indifference” on whether to intervene militarily if China attacks Taiwan.
Asked in an interview with CBS last month whether US troops would defend Taiwan, Biden said “yes,” if it was “a surprise attack.”
Austin was asked by CNN host Fareed Zakaria whether the US military is preparing to send troops to Taiwan in line with Biden’s comments, but he declined to answer directly.
Read more: China says the US sent ‘very wrong, dangerous signals’ on Taiwan
“The United States military is always ready to protect our interests and to live according to our decisions. I think the president is clear in giving his answers as he responds to the question that is reasonable,” said Austin.
“But, again, we continue to work to make sure we have the right capabilities in the right places to make sure we help our friends maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific,” he said.
Washington’s “strategic neutrality” is designed both to avoid Kannada aggression and to discourage Taiwan from angering Beijing by formally declaring independence.
Asked if Biden’s comments meant a change in that policy, a White House spokesman said at the time: “The president has said this before, including in Tokyo earlier this year. He also made it clear then that Taiwan’s policy had not changed. That is true.”
During a visit to Japan in May, Biden was asked if he would send US troops to Taiwan and he said “yes.”
“That’s the commitment we made,” he added.
Austin told CNN that he saw no “imminent threat” of a Chinese attack on Taiwan.
But the increased military activity on the Taiwan Strait shows that Beijing is moving to establish “a new normal,” he said.
Read more: Will ‘deepen our unofficial ties’ to Taiwan: Kamala Harris on China’s provocations
Washington cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979, shifting recognition to Beijing as China’s sole representative. But at the same time, the US maintains a determined, if delicate role in supporting Taiwan.
Under legislation passed by Congress, the U.S. is required to sell Taiwan military supplies to ensure self-defense against Beijing’s vast military forces.
