The Taiwan Foreign Ministry Monday extended its “sincere appreciation” to US President Joe Biden for promising that the US would defend Taiwan from an unprecedented Chinese attack if necessary. During an exclusive interview with 60 minutes on Sunday, Biden vowed to protect the island nation but clarified that his adminstration will continue to follow the “One China Policy” first outlined in the Shanghai Communiqué of 1972.

In the Communiqué, the United States acknowledged “that all Chinese on either side of the Taiwan Strait maintain there is but one China and that Taiwan is a part of China. The United States Government does not challenge that position.” Despite promising to defend Taiwan, Biden said his administration will still not encourage Taiwan to seek independence but asserted that the Taiwanese may make that decision for themselves.

While Chinese Foreign Ministry maintains that Taiwan is “a part of China,” Taiwan promised to deepen its security capabilities and stand for “rules-based international order” in the Taiwan Strait.