U.S. President Joe Biden says his administration will defend Taiwan if China decides to invade it. 

Mr Biden made his comments at a press conference with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan during his visit to Tokyo.  

“You didn’t want to get involved in the Ukraine conflict militarily for obvious reasons,” a reporter asked Mr Biden. “Are you willing to get involved militarily to defend Taiwan if it comes to that?”

“Yes,” Mr Biden said in response, “America is committed to a One China policy but that does not mean China has the jurisdiction to use force to take Taiwan…My expectation is that will not happen.”

On May 11, China warned the U.S. government against moves that could deviate from the one-China principle. Under this policy, the U.S. recognises Beijing as the government of China and refrains from having diplomatic relations with Taiwan. 

However, the U.S. remains in contact with Taiwan, runs a de facto embassy out of Taipei and supplies military equipment for the island’s defence.

In March, Peoples Gazette reported that a five-member delegation led by former U.S. chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mike Mullen landed on the island and was received by Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu. 

This action drew the concern of the Chinese authorities who said “such moves will only accelerate the demise of the Taiwan independence forces” and that the U.S. will pay a heavy price. 

The U.S. has been at the forefront of supporting Ukraine since it was invaded by Russia on February 24.

It gave Ukraine military equipment, including 16 helicopters, over 1,400 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, 90 howitzers, and more than 7,500 small arms, according to a Congressional report.