Joe Biden sends delegation to bolster Taiwan

Former chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, Mike Mullen, met on Wednesday with Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen in Taipei.

Mike Mullen is meet by Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu after landing in Taipei on Tuesday. Picture: AFP

A senior envoy representing US President Joe Biden has sought to reassure Taiwan that America will defend its “peace and stab­ility” amid threats from Beijing.

Former chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, Mike Mullen, met on Wednesday with Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen in Taipei in a demonstration of support for a democracy rattled by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“We come to Taiwan at a very difficult and critical moment in world history,” Admiral Mullen told Ms Tsai in remarks made ­before closed-door discussions.

“As President Biden has said, democracy is facing sustained and alarming challenges, most ­recently in Ukraine. Now more than ever, democracy needs champions.”

Protests have been held this week outside Russia’s diplomatic office in Taipei. At night, Taiwan’s tallest building, Taipei 101, has been lit up with the blue and yellow of Ukraine’s flag.

The Taiwanese government has also sent medical aid to Ukraine and joined American ­allies and partners in sanctioning Moscow.

Meanwhile, Beijing has provided cover for Russia’s invasion, which was launched weeks after Chinese President Xi Jinping held strategic talks with Russia’s ­leader Vladimir Putin on the two countries’ “no limits” partnership.

Mr Xi’s preferences have been made clear by Beijing’s propaganda machine, which has censored anti-war commentary on the Chinese internet, encouraged pro-Russia commentary and ramped up threats to Taiwan.

China’s air force flew another six fighter jets near Taiwan on Tuesday. Chinese planes have menaced Taiwan every day since Mr Putin launched his invasion on February 24.

Ms Tsai on Wednesday said China had ramped up its military threat to the region and was using cognitive warfare in an attempt to “divide Taiwanese society and erode our democracy”.

“We in Taiwan want the world to know that we have the determination to defend ourselves and uphold our free and democratic way of life,” she said.

She said Taiwan’s government would strengthen its asymmetric warfare capabilities and work with its partners.

“The crisis in Ukraine has shown the world that co-operation and co-ordinated action among democratic countries is crucial,” she said.

China’s foreign ministry spokesman on Tuesday night ­denounced the bipartisan delegation, which is being led by ­Admiral Mullen and includes ­former Obama administration officials Michele Flournoy and Evan Medeiros, and former ­officials in the Bush administration, Mike Green and Meghan O’Sullivan.

Admiral Mullen said maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait was “not just a US interest, but also a global one”.

“That is why the United States will continue to oppose any unilateral changes to the status quo and will continue to support a peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues, consistent with the wishes and best interests of the people of Taiwan,” he said.

“I do hope by being here with you we can reassure you and your people, as well as our allies and partners in the region, that the United States stands firm behind its commitments.”

Washington and Taipei do not have formal diplomatic relations but maintain close economic and security links.

Former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe this week said that, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, America should end its policy of “strategic ambiguity” on Taiwan and make its security commitment to Japan’s neighbour explicit.

Nobukatsu Kanehara, who was one of Mr Abe’s most senior advisers, said the ambiguity in America’s position used to make sense but had become “dangerous” as China had become ­stronger.

“If you don’t show your will to defend, the other side might be tempted,” said Mr Kanehara, now a senior adviser at the Asia Group.

“We should make sure that Xi Jinping will not be tempted.”