Refusing to comment on controversy over ‘U.S. defense of Taiwan against China’
BRUSSELS (AFP = Yonhap News) U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks to reporters during a North Atlantic Treaty Organization Defense Ministers’ Meeting in Brussels, Belgium, on the 22nd. 2021.10.22. photo@yna.co.kr
BRUSSELS (Yonhap News) Correspondent Kim Jong-un = US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on the 22nd (local time) that the Pentagon would continue to support Taiwanese forces, but declined to say whether US forces would defend Taiwan against China. said this.
“We will continue to help Taiwan acquire the level of capability it needs to defend itself, as we have done across many administrations,” Austin told reporters at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. said.
“We will continue to focus on things like this,” he added, adding that he would not comment on assumptions related to Taiwan.
President Biden reiterated his position that the United States would defend Taiwan if China attacks Taiwan the day before.
At a CNN town hall meeting in Baltimore on the 21st, President Biden said “yes” when asked if the United States would defend itself if China attacks Taiwan. he emphasized.
This answer could be interpreted as a military intervention in Taiwan, which sparked controversy over the possibility of policy changes in Taiwan and China.
Austin said the US promises a ‘one China’ principle, but that does not prevent the US from providing aid to Taiwan, including powerful military equipment.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said he would not speculate on the situation at home when asked if President Biden’s remarks had caused anxiety that NATO could be dragged into a conflict between the United States and China. It’s about reducing tension.”
Austin also said the US wants “predictability and stability” in relations with Russia, Reuters reported.
kje@yna.co.kr
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