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(Tokyo) — President Biden says the U.S. would come to the military defense of Taiwan if China tried to take the island by force.

Speaking during a news conference overnight in Tokyo alongside Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Biden said he would honor that commitment. Beijing quickly responded, reiterating China has no room for compromise or concessions on matters of sovereignty, where Taiwan is considered a breakaway province.

While Biden said he supports the “One China” policy which recognizes only one Chinese government, he said it doesn’t mean China has the authority to take over Taiwan by force. Biden said it’s one of the reasons Russia must pay a “dear price” for its invasion of Ukraine.