Joe Biden expects imminent ‘collapse’ in China ties

Joe Biden has said he expects to see a “thaw” in US relations with Beijing, even as he concluded the G7 summit in Japan that offered a concrete plan to counter military and economic security threats from China. Tried

The US president told a news conference at the end of the three-day summit that talks between the two countries had stalled since a “foolish balloon” carrying spy equipment flew over North America in February before being shot down by US forces. flew up ,

“Everything changed in terms of talking to each other. I think you’ll see that begin to thaw pretty soon,” Biden said.

Biden said his administration is considering lifting sanctions against Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu. Beijing recently refused to agree to a meeting with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin when the pair would attend the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore next month because of sanctions.

US officials previously said privately that the administration would not lift sanctions that China had imposed on Li over the import of fighter jets and missiles from Russia.

Biden reiterated at the news conference that the US stands by the “one China” policy, which recognizes Beijing as the sole government of China, and that Washington does not support any move by Taiwan to declare independence .

However, he added: “In the meantime, we will continue to put Taiwan in a position that they can defend themselves. And there is a clear understanding among most of our allies that, of course, if China acts unilaterally, there will be a response.” “

Biden did not confirm whether he was referring to the military response. However, he has said on four previous occasions that he would order the US military to intervene if China took unprovoked military action against Taiwan.

The White House did not respond to a request to clarify what kind of response Biden envisaged.

The US President’s remarks came a day after the G7 members – the US, Britain, Canada, Japan, Germany, France and Italy – issued a communique rebuking Beijing on a range of issues, including its military activities in the East and South China Seas. has been issued. Its human rights record in Tibet and Xinjiang. Advanced economies also called for peace in the Taiwan Strait.

In remarks that are likely to spark anger in Beijing, Biden at one point referred to Taiwan as a “country” that violates US policy. Responding to a question where he discussed the “one China” policy, Biden said “neither country” before later correcting himself and saying “neither region”.

China claims sovereignty over Taiwan and is very sensitive to any comment, especially from the US, that appears to the contrary.

On the sidelines of the G7, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese convened a meeting of the Quad – the US, Japan, Australia and India – after Biden was forced to cancel a trip to Sydney for a standalone meeting with the group’s leaders.

The four countries said in a joint statement that they “strongly oppose destabilizing or unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion” in the Indo-Pacific. While China was not specifically mentioned, the statement pointed to Chinese activity in the region.

Separately on Sunday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed a security agreement with Papua New Guinea. It is the latest effort by Washington to boost ties with the Pacific island nation after China shocked the US and its allies by signing a security deal with the Solomon Islands last year.

Joe Biden has said he expects to see a “thaw” in US relations with Beijing, even as he concluded the G7 summit in Japan that offered a concrete plan to counter military and economic security threats from China. Tried

The US president told a news conference at the end of the three-day summit that talks between the two countries had stalled since a “foolish balloon” carrying spy equipment flew over North America in February before being shot down by US forces. flew up ,

“Everything changed in terms of talking to each other. I think you’ll see that begin to thaw pretty soon,” Biden said.

Biden said his administration is considering lifting sanctions against Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu. Beijing recently refused to agree to a meeting with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin when the pair would attend the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore next month because of sanctions.

US officials previously said privately that the administration would not lift sanctions that China had imposed on Li over the import of fighter jets and missiles from Russia.

Biden reiterated at the news conference that the US stands by the “one China” policy, which recognizes Beijing as the sole government of China, and that Washington does not support any move by Taiwan to declare independence .

However, he added: “In the meantime, we will continue to put Taiwan in a position that they can defend themselves. And there is a clear understanding among most of our allies that, of course, if China acts unilaterally, there will be a response.” “

Biden did not confirm whether he was referring to the military response. However, he has said on four previous occasions that he would order the US military to intervene if China took unprovoked military action against Taiwan.

The White House did not respond to a request to clarify what kind of response Biden envisaged.

The US President’s remarks came a day after the G7 members – the US, Britain, Canada, Japan, Germany, France and Italy – issued a communique rebuking Beijing on a range of issues, including its military activities in the East and South China Seas. has been issued. Its human rights record in Tibet and Xinjiang. Advanced economies also called for peace in the Taiwan Strait.

In remarks that are likely to spark anger in Beijing, Biden at one point referred to Taiwan as a “country” that violates US policy. Responding to a question where he discussed the “one China” policy, Biden said “neither country” before later correcting himself and saying “neither region”.

China claims sovereignty over Taiwan and is very sensitive to any comment, especially from the US, that appears to the contrary.

On the sidelines of the G7, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese convened a meeting of the Quad – the US, Japan, Australia and India – after Biden was forced to cancel a trip to Sydney for a standalone meeting with the group’s leaders.

The four countries said in a joint statement that they “strongly oppose destabilizing or unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion” in the Indo-Pacific. While China was not specifically mentioned, the statement pointed to Chinese activity in the region.

Separately on Sunday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed a security agreement with Papua New Guinea. It is the latest effort by Washington to boost ties with the Pacific island nation after China shocked the US and its allies by signing a security deal with the Solomon Islands last year.