WASHINGTON - Overshadowed by US President Joe Biden's headline-grabbing vow that American forces would defend Taiwan against a Chinese attack was his hint at possibly shifting US policy to support the island's right to self-determination.
US officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, have underscored this year that the United States does not support Taiwan independence. "Taiwan makes their own judgments about their independence. We are not encouraging their being independent. That's their decision," he said.The president's critics argue China will perceive his comments as tacit support for an independence declaration, a redline for Beijing.
Beijing will likely worry that Mr Biden is suggesting Taiwan can decide itself whether it is independent, he said. Mr Biden also garnered support from some US allied countries, such as from the visiting speaker of Lithuania's Parliament, Ms Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen, who told Reuters that Mr Biden's comments were"meaningful and timely".China slams Biden's comments on defending TaiwanTaiwan's Foreign Ministry responded to Mr Biden's remarks by expressing its"sincere appreciation" for his staunch support of the island.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
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