Joe Biden suggests US would defend Taiwan against China, forcing fresh White House clarification

Administration insists there is no change of policy after president says US has a commitment' to defend island

China has urged the US to avoid sending any wrong signals" after President Joe Biden for a second time in three months said the US would come to Taiwan's defence if it was attacked.

In both incidents, the White House has clarified that there has been no change in US policy, which officially maintains so-called strategic ambiguity" regarding Taiwan. Still, Biden's words will rattle Beijing.