USA would defend Taiwan if China attacks: Biden

US President Joe Biden has said the US would defend Taiwan in the event of an attack by China.

The US has been selling arms to Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act, which states that the US will provide the island with the means to defend itself. Earlier this month, the US agreed to sell $1.1bn (£955m) in weaponry and missile defence to Taiwan.

Meanwhile, Taiwan welcomed the US government’s security commitment to Taiwan, saying Taipei would deepen its security partnership with Washington.

Tensions between US and China – especially over Taiwan – have ramped up after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a controversial visit to the island in August.

Taiwan is a self-ruled island off the coast of eastern China that Beijing claims as part of its territory.