U.S. Will Defend Taiwan From Chinese Attack, Austin Says

United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Friday said the U.S. remains committed to helping Taiwan defend itself, as the Chinese government reasserted its longstanding claim that the island is its territory.

"As we've done over multiple administrations, we'll continue to help Taiwan with the sorts of capabilities that it needs to defend itself," Austin said.

Asked whether the U.S. would defend Taiwan if the island were attacked by China, he told a reporter he would not discuss hypothetical situations.

“Nobody wants to see cross-Strait issues come to blows – certainly not President Biden, and there’s no reason that it should,” he stressed.

Speaking in Brussels after a NATO defense ministers' meeting, Austin added that Washington remains committed to its longstanding “one China” policy.

Austin made the remarks a day after U.S. President Joe Biden asserted that the U.S. is committed to defending the island if it is attacked.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin responded Friday, saying said there is “no room” for compromise or concessions over the issue of Taiwan.

China has recently upped its threat to bring Taiwan under its control by force if necessary by flying warplanes near the island and rehearsing beach landings.

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