Biden: "Yes, we have a commitment to do that!"

【縛雞之見】
拜登首次明確說明美國有承諾防衛台灣。這是在TRA下的承諾（比法律義務還廣泛一些）。
拜登不擔心中國會企圖挑起戰爭，擔心的是中國意外升級至戰爭。
拜登不擔心中國更強大，怕的是中國做出犯下重大錯誤的行為。
拜登不願與中國發生冷戰，但也美國也絕不退後或變更觀點。

Biden vows to protect Taiwan in event of Chinese attack    CNN 20211022

Baltimore (CNN)President Joe Biden said Thursday the US was committed to coming to Taiwan's defense if it comes under attack from China -- a stance that seems in opposition to America's stated policy of "strategic ambiguity."

Asked twice during CNN's town hall whether the US would protect Taiwan if China attacked, Biden said it would.

"Yes, we have a commitment to do that," he said.

Biden has made similar statements in the past, only to have the White House say longstanding US policy had not changed toward the island.  The US provides Taiwan defensive weapons, but has remained intentionally ambiguous on whether it would intervene militarily in the event of a Chinese attack.

Under the "One China" Policy, the US acknowledges China's claim of sovereignty over Taiwan.  In recent weeks, Beijing has sent dozens of warplanes near into Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), and Chinese President Xi Jinping has said that "reunification" between China and Taiwan was inevitable.

A White House official attempted to clarify Biden's comments on Taiwan after the town hall, saying the President was "not announcing any change in our policy and there is no change in our policy" in his remarks about China and Taiwan.

"The U.S. defense relationship with Taiwan is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act.  We will uphold our commitment under the Act, we will continue to support Taiwan's self-defense, and we will continue to oppose any unilateral changes to the status quo," the official said.

Biden said Thursday he was not concerned about an intentional military conflict with China — but indicated he was worried about unintentional escalation.

"China, Russia and the rest of the world knows we have the most powerful military in history of the world.  Don't worry about whether they're going to be more powerful," he said.  "But you do have to worry about whether or not they're going to engage in activities put them in a position where they may make a serious mistake."

Biden, citing his relationship with Xi, said he wasn't looking to enter a prolonged conflict.

"I have spoken and spent more time with Xi Jinping than any other world leader has.  That's why you hear people saying Biden wants to start a new cold war with China.  I don't want a cold war with China.  I want China to understand that we are not going to step back and change any of our views."

This story has been updated with additional reporting.