‘We will help defend Taiwan’

WASHINGTON: The United States will help Taiwan “develop the capability to defend itself” from a Chinese invasion, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said.

“We’re committed to helping Taiwan develop the capability to defend itself,” Austin said in an interview with CNN.

Washington has historically maintained a policy of “strategic ambiguity” on whether it would intervene militarily if Taiwan were attacked by China.

Asked in an interview with CBS last month whether US troops would defend Taiwan, President Joe Biden said “yes,” if it were “an unprecedented attack”. — AFP