Regarding comments made by US President Joe Biden during a CBS 60 Minutes interview that US forces would assist Taiwan’s defense in the event of an attack by China, MOFA responds as follows:
September 19, 2022
During a CBS 60 Minutes interview broadcast on September 18, US President Joe Biden said that the United States had committed to defend Taiwan. He said that “Taiwan makes their own judgements about their independence” and that the United States is “not encouraging their [Taiwan] being independent. . . . That’s their decision.” President Biden also said that US forces would seek to defend Taiwan if there was an unprecedented attack. A White House official later said that US policy remained unchanged, reiterating that the US is committed to providing Taiwan with the means to defend itself in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) extends its sincere appreciation to President Biden for once again emphasizing the staunch and rock-solid US security commitment to Taiwan.
Since taking office, President Biden has frequently stressed the US security commitment to Taiwan. Since August, following China’s baseless escalation of provocative military activities in the Taiwan Strait, the Biden administration has repeatedly conveyed support for Taiwan through public statements and concrete actions. In addition to public statements by senior US officials, the United States has facilitated statements by G7 Foreign Ministers, including the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and engaged in freedom of navigation operations in the Taiwan Strait, demonstrating a high regard and staunch support for Taiwan’s security.
In the face of China’s military expansion and provocative actions, the government of Taiwan will continue to strengthen its self-defense capabilities and stand firm against authoritarian expansion and aggression. Taiwan will also deepen the close Taiwan-US security partnership and strengthen cooperation with like-minded nations even further, jointly and resolutely seeking to safeguard security across the Taiwan Strait, the rules-based international order, and the peace, stability, and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region.