China admits it conducted military exercise around Taiwan as a 'solemn warning' over its 'collusion' with the US

  • Joe Biden angered Beijing by saying US would intervene if China invades Taiwan
  • China's military said today it carried out air and sea patrols and drills near island
  • China has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control 

China has admitted it carried out a military exercise around Taiwan as a 'solemn warning' against its 'collusion' with the US. 

Joe Biden angered China on Monday by suggesting the US would intervene if China invaded Taiwan, signalling a change in the policy of 'strategic ambiguity'.

He clarified on Tuesday there was no change to policy.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theatre Command said it had recently carried out a patrol and drill in the airspace and sea around Taiwan.

'This is a solemn warning against recent collusion between the United States and Taiwan,' said spokesman for the command, Shi Yi said, according to state television.

China has admitted it carried out a military exercise around Taiwan as a 'solemn warning' against its 'collusion' with the US. Pictured: Chinese destroyer fires missiles during an exercise in the South China Sea in March

China has admitted it carried out a military exercise around Taiwan as a 'solemn warning' against its 'collusion' with the US. Pictured: Chinese destroyer fires missiles during an exercise in the South China Sea in March

China has never renounced the use of force to bring democratically ruled Taiwan under its control

China has never renounced the use of force to bring democratically ruled Taiwan under its control

'It is hypocritical and futile for the United States to say one thing and do another on the Taiwan issue,' he said.

China has never renounced the use of force to bring democratically ruled Taiwan under its control, and the Taiwan Strait remains a potential military flashpoint.

While the United States abides by a 'one China' policy, recognising only Beijing, it has made a commitment under its Taiwan Relations Act 'to help provide Taiwan the means to defend itself'.

Despite that, it has long held a policy of not specifying how it might react in the event of a Chinese attack on the island.

China also announced today that joint aerial exercises were held on Tuesday with Russia over the Sea of Japan, East China Sea and Western Pacific.

The patrol, the first since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, was part of an annual military exercise, China's defence ministry had said on its website on Tuesday.

The US has long held a policy of not specifying how it might react in the event of a Chinese attack on the island

The US has long held a policy of not specifying how it might react in the event of a Chinese attack on the island

China and Russia have held such patrols in 2019, 2020 and 2021 but in the latter half of the year.

Yesterday, Biden told reporters in Tokyo: 'The policy has not changed at all. I stated that when I made my statement yesterday.' 

The president was first asked if the policy of 'strategic ambiguity' toward Taiwan was dead. 

'No,' Biden responded. 

When asked to elaborate, Biden declined. 

'No,' he said. 

During a press conference Monday alongside Kishida, Biden affirmed he would be willing to get involved militarily if China invaded Taiwan – drawing parallels between that threat and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.  

Chinese troops take part in a military drill. Biden said Monday that Chin was 'already flirting with danger' by conducting military drills near Taiwan

Chinese troops take part in a military drill. Biden said Monday that Chin was 'already flirting with danger' by conducting military drills near Taiwan 

'Yes,' Biden said. 'That's a commitment we made,' Biden responded when asked about the hot button diplomatic issue. 

Biden reiterated that the U.S. agrees to the so-called 'One China' policy - that only the People's Republic of China is 'China,' thus the U.S.'s diplomatic relationship with Taiwan is unofficial. 

'But the idea that it can be taken by force, just taken by force, is just not appropriate,' Biden said. 'It will dislocate the entire region and be another action similar to what happened in Ukraine.' 

Additionally, Biden said: 'My expectation is it will not happen, it will not be attempted.' 

But he condemned military exercises China was conducting. 'They're already flirting with danger right now by flying so close and all the maneuvers that are undertaken,' the president said. 

A White House official asked to clarify the comment responded: 'As the President said, our policy has not changed. He reiterated our One China Policy and our commitment to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. He also reiterated our commitment under the Taiwan Relations Act to provide Taiwan with the military means to defend itself.' 

Biden was asked at the very end of a press conference, held at Tokyo's Akasaka Palace: 'You didn't want to get involved in the Ukraine conflict militarily for obvious reasons. Are you willing to get involved militarily to defend Taiwan, if it comes to that?' - to which the president answered in the affirmative. 

 The US already provides fighter jets and Patriot missiles to Taiwan, but official policy is deliberately ambiguous in keeping with the 'one China' policy Biden referenced. 

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