Even in Taiwan, many were probably surprised by the clear words of the American President.

During a press conference in Japan, Joe Biden was asked if he would be willing to "intervene militarily to defend Taiwan, if that were to happen."

The President replied with a single word: "Yes".

When asked, he added: "That's the commitment we've made."

Friederike Böge

Political correspondent for China, North Korea and Mongolia.

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That sounded like a departure from the long-standing policy of "strategic ambiguity," according to which the United States is leaving open how it would react in the event of a Chinese attack on Taiwan.

It was the third time Biden had spoken in this way.

Even before that, his employees had always assured that nothing had changed in American politics.

It was the same this time.

But Biden's commitment from Monday weighs heavier.

For one thing, because he said it in Japan, right next door to Taiwan – and China.

Secondly, because of the timing.

The Russian war of aggression in Ukraine has alarmed and unsettled many in Taiwan.

The American government derives from the war a new urgency to strengthen Taiwan's deterrent capabilities against China.

Head of state Xi Jinping should not be tempted to do the same as Russian President Vladimir Putin.

This new urgency is currently reflected in the American arms export policy towards Taiwan.

For several years, Washington has been trying to persuade the Taiwanese to adopt a new defense policy.

In early May, the Taiwanese defense minister announced that his country no longer wanted to buy MH-60R Seahawk helicopters after all.

"The price is too high, it is beyond our country's ability," Chiu Kuo-cheng told MPs in parliament.

What he did not say: The American government had put a stop to the planned purchase of twelve helicopters from the manufacturer Sikorsky, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin.

The underlying belief is that Taiwan is investing too much in high-end hardware and not focusing enough on asymmetric capabilities.

From Washington's point of view, the Ukraine war has demonstrated the effectiveness of such capabilities in the fight against an overpowering opponent.

In Taiwan, however, some warn against viewing the country too much through Ukraine's eyes.

"The US has long been urging Taiwan not to buy the expensive systems," said retired Admiral Lee Hsi-min.

"Now they're stepping in and influencing Taiwan's capacity through denial." Lee feels vindicated.

The Admiral A.

D. was Chief of the General Staff until 2017.

At that time, he presented a new defense concept that anticipated much of what the United States is now demanding.

It was called the Overall Defense Concept.