Biden"s comments appeared to be a departure from existing USpolicy of so-called strategic ambiguity on its position on the self-governedisland that China considers its territory and says is the most sensitive andimportant issue in its ties with the United States.
When asked by a reporter in Tokyo if the United States woulddefend Taiwan if it were attacked by China, the president answered: "Yes."
"That"s the commitment we made ... We agree with aone-China policy. We"ve signed on to it and all the intended agreements madefrom there. But the idea that, that it can be taken by force, just taken byforce, is just not, is just not appropriate."
He added that it was his expectation that such an eventwould not happen or be attempted.
While Washington is required by law to provide Taiwan withthe means to defend itself, it has long followed a policy of "strategicambiguity" on whether it would intervene militarily to protect Taiwan inthe event of a Chinese attack.
Biden made a similar comment about defending Taiwan inOctober. At that time, a White House spokesperson said Biden was not announcingany change in US policy.
The comments about Taiwan are likely to overshadow thecentrepiece of Biden"s visit, the launch of an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework,a broad plan providing an economic pillar for US engagement with Asia.
His visit also includes meetings with the leaders of Japan,India and Australia, in the "Quad" group of countries.
Worries about China"s growing might and the possibility thatit could invade Taiwan have emboldened Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishidaand his ruling Liberal Democratic Party on defence, eroding some of the traditionalwariness among many Japanese about taking a more robust defence posture.
STRONG JAPAN
Kishida said that he told Biden that Japan would considervarious options to boost its defence capabilities, including the ability toretaliate, signalling a potential shift in Japan"s defence policy.
"A strong Japan, and a strong US-Japan alliance, is aforce for good in the region," Biden said in a news conference followingtheir discussions.
Kishida said that he had gained support from Biden onJapan"s becoming a permanent member of the UN Security Council amid growingcalls for reform of the council. China and Russia are permanent members.
"President Biden expressed the necessity of reformingand strengthening the United Nations, including the Security Council, whichbears a major responsibility for the peace and security of the internationalcommunity," Kishida said.
"President Biden expressed his support for Japan tobecome a permanent member of the reformed Security Council."
Worries are growing in Asia about an increasingly assertiveChina, particularly in light of its close ties to Russia, and tension has risenover self-ruled Taiwan, which China considers a renegade province.
