The White House clarified that no policy changes had been made.

The current official stance of the United States regarding China’s “One China” policy, which states that Taiwan is still considered a part of China, is one of agreement. The US Government has signed off on the One China policy and acknowledged China’s stance on the matter. However, in recent months, Beijing has been hinting at more overtly hostile means of asserting control over Taiwan, up to and including invasion.

NEW: Pres. Biden says that the U.S. would intervene militarily if China were to invade Taiwan, saying the burden to protect Taiwan is "even stronger" after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. https://t.co/2kjbrgiQId

— ABC News (@ABC) May 23, 2022

This morning, President Joe Biden stated that in the event China attempt to invade Taiwan by force, the US would offer Taiwan military support. “We agree with the One China policy. We signed on to it, and all the attendant agreements made from there, but the idea that it can be taken by force, just taken by force, is (just not) appropriate,” Biden said in response to a reporter’s questions.

Following the President’s statement, the White House clarified that no official plans or policy changes regarding Taiwan had been put into action. “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,” an official said.

Breaking news: President Biden said the U.S. would defend Taiwan militarily if China invaded, appearing to step away from a policy of “strategic ambiguity.” https://t.co/tSqWNtucPI

— The New York Times (@nytimes) May 23, 2022

Representatives of the Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed discontent with Biden’s remarks. “On issues concerning China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and other core interests, there is no room for compromise,” said spokesman Wang Wenbin.

“We urged the US side to earnestly follow the One China principle … be cautious in words and deeds on the Taiwan issue, and not send any wrong signal to pro-Taiwan independence and separatist forces — so it won’t cause serious damage to the situation across the Taiwan Strait and China-US relations.”