FirstFT: Biden says US would defend Taiwan from Chinese language assault

President Joe Biden stated the US would defend Taiwan from a Chinese language assault, in a powerful warning to Beijing one month after China held large-scale navy workouts in response to Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s go to to Taipei.

Requested in an interview on Sunday with CBS Information’s 60 Minutes whether or not he would deploy US forces to defend Taiwan from Chinese language navy motion, Biden replied: “Sure, if the truth is there was an unprecedented assault”.

When pressed once more on whether or not the US would ship forces to defend Taiwan, in distinction to the scenario in Ukraine, the president stated: “Sure”.

On Monday, a Chinese language overseas ministry spokesperson stated Beijing “deplores and rejects” Biden’s feedback and had registered “solemn complaints” with the US, in accordance with Related Press.

Biden has issued three related warnings up to now, however Sunday was the primary time he has executed so since China reacted furiously to Pelosi’s go to with the unprecedented transfer of firing ballistic missiles over Taiwan.

• Extra from Biden’s interview: Buyers wiped greater than $10bn off the market worth of the primary Covid-19 vaccine makers yesterday after US president Joe Biden advised 60 Minutes, “the pandemic is over”.

Do you suppose the US ought to step in to defend Taiwan if there was a Chinese language assault? Inform me what you suppose at [email protected]. Thanks for studying FirstFT Asia — Emily

5 extra tales within the information

1. Queen Elizabeth’s state funeral ends UK interval of mourning Queen Elizabeth II has accomplished the journey to her ultimate resting place at Windsor after a momentous state funeral at Westminster Abbey, as world leaders joined Britons in mourning the nation’s longest-serving monarch.

• The FT View: For all its grief of previous days, Britain might but come to overlook its departed monarch much more than it realises.

• Associated learn: An official Chinese language delegation was barred from attending the Queen’s lying-in-state in Westminster Corridor.

2. Iranians protest girl’s dying after gown code arrest Protesters clashed with safety forces in Iran’s largest cities and throughout its Kurdish area yesterday as anger mounted over the dying of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian who was on a go to to Tehran, after she was detained by the Islamic republic’s morality police.

3. South Korea prosecutors search to cancel passport of crypto boss The Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Workplace stated yesterday that it requested Seoul’s overseas ministry to cancel the passport of Do Kwon, the co-founder of collapsed cryptocurrency operator Terraform Labs, alleging that he’s refusing to co-operate with an investigation into the $40bn implosion of the terraUSD and luna tokens.

4. Turkish banks droop Russian Mir playing cards İşbank and DenizBank, two of Turkey’s largest banks, have halted using the Russian Mir cost system after warnings from Washington over the danger of falling foul of US sanctions on Moscow.

5. Hurricane Nanmadol kills not less than one in Japan A robust hurricane tore via south-western Japan, bringing violent winds and torrential rain that left not less than one useless, dozens injured and greater than 300,000 households with out energy.

The day forward

Reserve Financial institution of Australia minutes The minutes from policymakers’ final assembly will make clear the speed hike put in place earlier this month.

Japan CPI figures When the August client value index is launched right this moment, economists count on the info to indicate that Japan’s core client inflation final month rose to a close to eight-year excessive. (Reuters)

What else we’re studying

Indians mark the Queen’s passing with respectful indifference For Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata occasion, actively shedding the trimmings of the British Raj is a part of a broader ideological venture. Indians have collectively absorbed their previous and are, as Modi has stated, “filling new colors to the portrait of tomorrow” wherein Britain issues much less.

America wants a correct threat technique for China In Washington, fears that Beijing is planning a navy invasion are rising, and America is in peril of changing into embroiled in sparring between Beijing and Taipei within the Taiwan Strait. However what would occur if provide chains and monetary flows between the US and China have been reduce off tomorrow? What’s the day-one plan? asks Rana Foroohar.

Putin, Xi and the bounds of friendship Earlier this yr Russian president Vladimir Putin and Chinese language president Xi Jinping touted their nations’ friendship that “has no limits”. However because the protracted battle continues in Ukraine, a severely weakened and embarrassed Russia is already a a lot much less helpful companion for China, writes Gideon Rachman.

Center managers — on the brand new entrance line of workplace life Center managers have needed to take care of upheavals wrought by the pandemic, and the employees turnover via the so-called Nice Resignation, which triggered gaps in headcount. Now, many are charged with overseeing hybrid work plans and managing groups’ pay expectations in a interval of excessive inflation.

The lawless world of crypto scams Fraudsters are profiting from a increase in cryptocurrencies to prey on people, with about $6.2bn stolen worldwide in 2021. The rise has uncovered a gaping gap in monetary laws and client protections, however tracing the worldwide networks behind crypto fraud presents enormous challenges for investigators.

Your suggestions

As tens of millions tuned in to look at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth, thanks to FirstFT readers from around the globe who shared their ideas concerning the late monarch with us:

“Examined in so many various instances — at all times a rock, pledging her complete life to service till the day she died. Simply outstanding, particularly right this moment when considered in opposition to our (US specifically) setting of divisiveness, hatefulness and lack of civility. One American’s view: I really feel we now have misplaced this glorious function mannequin of how one ought to lead and behave.” — Deborah Kelly, Denver, Colorado

“I’m anxious concerning the future and what it means for the nation each at dwelling, and within the eyes of the world. On the similar time, I’m enthusiastic about Charles taking the throne. I’m a sustainability particular person and the world wants to vary. Charles has been banging that drum for years.” — Wayne McCance, Hampshire, England

“Together with her passing, what is going to the course for Britain be? And what of its traditions that maintain a rustic collectively, give it that means, function and the desire of its folks?” — Beatrice, New York Metropolis