Tuesday’s combined operation between a US destroyer and a Canadian frigate was intended at reaffirming the Taiwan Strait’s position as an international waterway.
In order to counter Chinese claims, the United States has long employed “freedom of navigation” crossings over the Taiwan Strait, and Western allies have increasingly joined similar operations.
According to the US Navy’s Seventh Fleet, the USS Higgins and the Halifax-class frigate HMCS Vancouver of the Royal Canadian Navy “conducted a normal Taiwan Strait transit… in line with international law.”
Despite Beijing’s official claim that the Strait is a part of their territory, they stated, “The ship transited through a passage in the Strait that is outside the territorial sea of any coastal State.”
In response to a question on whether US forces would protect Taiwan in an interview, President Joe Biden said “absolutely,” but only if there was a “unprecedented assault.”
Beijing reacted negatively to this and issued a statement saying that Biden’s comments “seriously violate the key pledge the US made not to promote Taiwan independence.”
In recent years, military vessels from the UK, Canada, France, and Australia have passed through the Taiwan Strait, drawing criticism from Beijing.
Additionally, they routinely navigate the South China Sea, another important maritime lane that Beijing continues to claim as its own despite a 2016 Hague verdict that rejected both those claims and competing ones from a number of countries.
A military drill involving the United States, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand is scheduled to culminate this week in Fiji, and the provocative passage of ships coincides with that event.
Following the signing of a bilateral security agreement between China and the Solomon Islands in May, which has sparked worries that a Chinese naval station may be created in the area, the United States has pledged to engage with the South Pacific more.
In the midst of rising tension between China and the West, particularly in the wake of Biden’s interview, the traditional allies participated in drills known as Operation Cartwheel.
In light of escalating tensions in the Far East, Biden’s remarks represent the president’s most aggressive move yet toward drawing America into yet another world conflict.
It happens after he promised to continue up the island’s military as the possibility of invasion looms and unveiled a $1.1 billion armaments package for it.
Washington severed formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979, changing recognition to Beijing as the only representation of China.
However, the US also continued to play a significant, though sensitive, role in defending Taiwan.
In his first TV interview in more than seven months, Biden appeared on 60 Minutes on Sunday night. During the interview, he was asked: “Would U.S. military protect the island?”
Yes, if there was an unheard-of assault, he answered.
To be clear, sir, so unlike Ukraine, stated journalist Scott Pelley. If the Chinese invaded Taiwan, who would protect it—US military, US men and women?
Yes, Biden replied.
Despite the president’s stark statements, a White House official said during the interview that US official policy – the “strategic ambiguity” defined in the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act – remained unaltered with regard to the protection of Taiwan.
The person said, “The President has expressed this previously, notably in Tokyo earlier this year.” He made it plain at the time that our attitude toward Taiwan hasn’t changed. That is still accurate.
In the interview, the president also seemed to make reference to the Taiwan Relations Act when he said that the US’s long-standing policy toward Taiwan was still in effect.
According to Biden, “We agree with what we signed into a long time ago.” Additionally, there is only one China policy, and Taiwan determines its own level of independence. We aren’t changing and we don’t promote their independence. We’re not responsible for it; it’s their choice.
According to the Taiwan Relations Act, the US must provide Taiwan the weapons necessary for self-defense.