The Foreign Ministry said on Monday it has lodged "stern representations" with the United States after US President Joe Biden said American forces would defend Taiwan in the event of an attack by the mainland, his most explicit statement so far on the issue.

Biden has repeatedly made remarks that have gone beyond longstanding stated US policy on Taiwan, but in a CBS 60 Minutes interview broadcast on Sunday, his statement was clearer than previous ones about committing US troops to defend the island.

The statement also comes after President Xi Jinping warned Biden against playing with fire over Taiwan in a July phone conversation. During the call, Xi told Biden: "Those who play with fire will perish by it."

When asked during the 60 Minutes interview whether US forces would defend the island, Biden replied: "Yes, if in fact, there was an unprecedented attack."

Asked to clarify if he meant that unlike in Ukraine, US forces – American men and women – would defend Taiwan in the event of a mainland attack, Biden replied: "Yes."

However, Biden reiterated the United States did not support Taiwanese independence and remained committed to a One China policy.

At a regular media briefing, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said China reserves the right to take all necessary measures in response to activities that split the nation apart.

"There is only one China in the world, Taiwan is part of China, and the government of the People's Republic of China is the only legitimate government of China," said Mao.

"We are willing to do our best to strive for peaceful reunification. At the same time, we will not tolerate any activities aimed at secession."

The US has long stuck to a policy of "strategic ambiguity" and not making clear whether it would respond militarily to an attack on Taiwan.

Asked if the latest statement from Biden signaled a change in that strategic ambiguity, a White House spokesman said: "The president has said this before, including in Tokyo earlier this year. He also made clear then that our Taiwan policy hasn't changed. That remains true."

The CBS interview with Biden was conducted last week. He is in Britain for Queen Elizabeth's funeral on Monday.

In May, Biden was asked if he was willing to get involved militarily to defend Taiwan and replied: "Yes... That's the commitment we made."

Tensions are already higher than usual in the wake of a rare visit to Taiwan by Nancy Pelosi, a key Biden ally and speaker of the US House of Representatives. That visit prompted Beijing to conduct its largest-ever military exercises around the island. (Agencies)
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Last updated: 2022-09-19 HKT 15:47