China and Taiwan Criticize Biden's Remarks, Each Interpreting Them to Suit Their Own Interests

China Criticizes Taiwan's Arbitrary Interpretation, Saying "Taiwan Is Not a Sovereign State"
Taiwan Accuses China of Exaggerating Biden's Remarks...Calls for Caution on US-China Relations Changes

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] After the US-China summit, China and Taiwan have been engaged in a public opinion battle over the remarks made by US President Joe Biden.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Chinese side maintains that the meaning and content of 'One China' are very clear both politically and legally, and no distortion is allowed. On the other hand, Taiwan claims that the US policy toward Taiwan has not changed and accuses Chinese authorities and state-run media of exaggerating President Biden's remarks.

China's state-run Global Times reported on the 18th with the headline "Believing that Biden supports Taiwan independence is deceiving themselves," stating that the Taiwanese authorities are interpreting President Biden's remarks arbitrarily. The media warned that the Taiwanese authorities' misinterpretation stems from Biden's ambiguous remarks and that the US still intends to use Taiwan to contain China.

The Global Times conveyed that after the summit, President Biden said in an interview with the US media, "Taiwan itself, not us (the US), must decide on independence. We do not support Taiwan independence." Taiwanese authorities and media were criticized for deliberately omitting Biden's statement that they do not support Taiwan independence and instead focusing on the phrase "must decide for themselves," which implies independent sovereign status, to sway public opinion.

Wang Jianmin, a professor at Minnan Normal University in China, said, "Taiwan is not a sovereign state and does not have sovereign status, and this fact remains unchanged," adding, "The interpretation of Biden's remarks by Taiwan separatists and Taiwanese media is incorrect."

Lv Xiang, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, argued, "The key is what actions the US will take going forward," and stated, "If the US takes additional measures to provoke the situation, China must take resolute actions." He added that since the essence of the Taiwan issue could change in one to two years, preparations for unpredictable situations are necessary.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In contrast, the Taiwanese authorities claimed that the Chinese side is overinterpreting Biden's remarks. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out that the Chinese interpretation of Biden's remarks differs significantly from the US official statement and accused China of deliberately distorting the remarks.

Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), the agency responsible for China affairs, also emphasized that sovereign Taiwan has never been part of China and that the fact that "the two sides of the Taiwan Strait (Taiwan and China) are not subordinate to each other" is an objective fact and the current situation in the Taiwan Strait.

Zhao Chunshan, honorary professor at Tamkang University's Mainland Research Institute in Taiwan, interpreted, "The purpose of this summit was to lower the level of conflict between the two countries," and confirmed that the US Taiwan card remains valid.

Chang Dunhan, spokesperson for the Presidential Office, evaluated Biden's remarks by highlighting the reaffirmation of the US commitment to Taiwan and the strong opposition to unilateral actions that would destroy the current situation across the Taiwan Strait and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

There was also a cautious view within Taiwan. Attention should be paid to the 'guardrails' in Biden's remarks. There is a perspective that former President Donald Trump's 'Taiwan card' and President Biden's 'Taiwan card' may differ.

Li Dajung, associate professor at Tamkang University's Institute of International Affairs and Strategic Studies, said, "President Biden used the word 'guardrails' to avoid conflict," and added, "Since the US and China have opened the door to dialogue, Taiwan should carefully observe US-China relations with a more domestic focus."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.