U.S. sticks to ‘one China’ policy

‘We’ll continue to focus on that message as we approach this sensitive period ahead with the Taiwan elections.’

The United States is keen on retaining its “one China” policy despite China’s “reunification” with Taiwan, according to National Security Council Senior Director for China and Taiwan Affairs Sarah Beran on Thursday Philippine time. This comes after US President Joe Biden and the China President Xi Jinping’s engagements during the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week. Beran confirmed to reporters that Biden was “very clear” that the US is sticking to its “one China” policy, peace and stability, status quo and made clear that China’s military coercion around Taiwan or associated with the election is “absolutely unacceptable.”

“Now, the US does not take a position on that. We’re quite clear that, again, our policy, long-standing policy, is no support for Taiwan independence, the importance of maintaining peace and stability and status quo across the strait,” Beran said.

The official maintained that US policy has not changed and it will remain focused on its position.

“We’ll continue to focus on that message as we approach this sensitive period ahead with the Taiwan elections,” Beran said.

She stressed that America has a long-standing “one China” policy and while it recognizes Beijing’s sovereignty claims, it maintains unofficial relations with Taiwan and is committed to safeguarding the island’s ability to defend itself under the Taiwan Contacts Act.

In May last year, Biden asserted that America would exercise military intervention in the event of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

Meantime, Xi on Wednesday said the US should “stop arming Taiwan and support China’s peaceful reunification.”

“China will realize reunification, and this is unstoppable,” Xi told Biden, according to a readout from China’s foreign ministry.

Biden, however, reaffirmed its “one China” policy even after a dialogue with Xi.