Taiwan says it won't rely on others for defense

WASHINGTON, Oct 5 - Taiwan won't rely on others for its defense, President Tsai Ing-wen said on Wednesday, while welcoming a U.S. commitment to the democratically governed island's security amid what she called Chinese encroachment on its sovereignty. Tsai's remarks, pre-recorded and delivered to a U.S. audience at a forum in Washington, come after U.S. President Joe Biden pledged in September to defend Taiwan in the event of any "Unprecedented attack" by China. In her address to the Washington-based Global Taiwan Institute think tank, Tsai thanked the Biden administration and the U.S. Congress for "Upholding the U.S. commitment to Taiwan's security", and for recent U.S. military arms sales. "That is why I want to reiterate that Taiwan is fully committed to protecting our security and maintaining our democratic way of life. We're also working to adapt our defense strategy to the changing threats we face." Though the White House has said Biden's pledge did not signify a change in U.S. policy, critics argue he may have undercut - intentionally or not - a U.S. stance of not taking a position on Taiwan's independence. China, which views Taiwan as its own territory, mounted large-scale military drills to display its anger over an August visit there by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Chinese military activities have continued since then, though at a much reduced level, and Chinese military aircraft are routinely crossing the median line in the Taiwan Strait, which had for years acted as an unofficial barrier between the two sides.