TOKYO, May 23, 2022 (AFP) – US President Joe Biden on Monday pledged to defend Taiwan’s military if China tried to forcibly take control of the autonomous island, warning that Beijing was “flirting with danger”.
Biden made statements in Tokyo, where he met with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during his official visit to Japan. He visited South Korea over the weekend.
The US government sees Japan and South Korea as axes of US aggression against China’s growing commercial and military power, as well as partners in the Western alliance to isolate Russia after the invasion of Ukraine.
At a joint press conference, Biden and Kishida took a hard line on China, advocating a “joint vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific (region)”. They also agreed on the need to monitor Chinese maritime activities in an area where Beijing has great ambitions.
When asked whether Washington would act militarily against Beijing if China attempted to seize control of Taiwan by force, the American president replied: “This is our commitment.”
Biden: “We agree with the one China policy, we are committed to it…
Biden added that China is “flirting with danger”, referring to the growing number of Chinese maneuvers with naval exercises and construction work in the region.
China views Taiwan as a rebellious province that must be reintegrated into the country, including by force if necessary.
Soon after, China quickly replied that it was willing to defend its national interests in Taiwan.
“No one should underestimate the strong determination, strong will and ability of the Chinese people to defend their national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” said Wang Wenbin, spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“The Taiwan issue is purely China’s internal issue,” he added.
– Russia “must pay the price” – Biden also attacked the Russian government, which “has to pay a long-term price for its barbarism in Ukraine”, citing the sanctions imposed by Washington and its allies.
“This isn’t just about Ukraine,” Biden said. “If sanctions are not sustained in many ways, how do we send a signal to China about the cost of an attempt to take Taiwan by force?” he asked.
On Tuesday, Biden, the group known as “The Four”, will seek to strengthen US leadership in the Asia-Pacific region at a summit with the heads of government of Australia, India and Japan.
But India has so far refused to openly condemn the war in Ukraine or cut off trade with Russia. Biden will meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Biden’s trip to Asia has been marked by fears that North Korea will test a nuclear-capable missile or even a bomb that was absent during his visit to Seoul.
But the threat remains, according to White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
“If North Korea takes action, we will be ready to respond. If North Korea does not act, it will have the opportunity to come to the negotiating table, as we have said,” he said.
So far, Pyongyang has rejected America’s calls for dialogue, even ignoring offers of help to combat a sudden Covid-19 outbreak, according to White House sources.
– New trade initiative – At the same time, the American president announced in Tokyo this Monday the launch of a new economic initiative for the Asia-Pacific region, which will initially have 13 member states, including India and Japan, but without China.
Biden officially introduced the Indo-Pacific Welfare Economic Framework (IPEF).
“Together, I believe we will win the competition of the 21st century,” said Biden at the launch, along with Kishida and Narendra Modi – other countries virtually joined.
Unlike traditional trading blocs, IPEF has no plans to negotiate tariffs or open markets.
The 13 member states seek integration in four key areas: the digital economy, supply chains, green energy and anti-corruption.
The initial list of members includes the United States, Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.
“Working with our close friends and partners in the region in the face of challenges is a commitment to ensure economic competitiveness in the 21st century,” said the American president.
The US government has little to do with returning to a binding trade agreement with Asia after former President Donald Trump withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement in 2017.
sms/sah/axn/me/zm/fp
source: Noticias
