Biden Admin: “We Do Not Support Taiwan Independence”
Administration spokesman John Kirby made the shocking statement on Monday, as the world was bracing for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.
Kirby: "We do not support Taiwan independence." pic.twitter.com/ynEEqNmqXW
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) August 1, 2022
About three hours earlier, the Foreign Ministry of China stated: ‘The US side needs to fulfill President Biden’s commitment of not supporting “Taiwan independence” and refrain from arranging for a visit by Speaker Pelosi to Taiwan.‘
The US side needs to fulfill President Biden’s commitment of not supporting “Taiwan independence” and refrain from arranging for a visit by Speaker Pelosi to Taiwan. pic.twitter.com/hK7PKmuLmz
— Spokesperson发言人办公室 (@MFA_China) August 1, 2022
Yikes: Kirby is asked, if Biden's China policy hasn't changed, why the administration urged Pelosi not to visit Taiwan.
Kirby: "Who urged her not to go?"
Reporter: Uhh, Joe Biden, a few weeks ago… pic.twitter.com/tXtTVenqLb
— John Cooper (@thejcoop) August 1, 2022
In May, during a joint press conference in Tokyo with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Joe Biden said that he was willing to get involved militarily to defend Taiwan.
Q: "Are you willing to get involved militarily to defend Taiwan?"
BIDEN: "Yes, that's the commitment we made." pic.twitter.com/3YlcTuQtHP— Simón Levy (@SimonLevyMx) July 30, 2022
As this is breaking news, details will be added to this page as they become available.