U.S. President Joe Biden asserted in late October that the United States would defend Taiwan if it came under attack, a stance different from the “strategic ambiguity” that has characterized American policy.

At a CNN town hall event, Biden was asked if he could “vow to protect Taiwan” given reports that China had tested a hypersonic missile. Biden answered “yes” without hesitation, and went on to say “China, Russia and the rest of the world knows we’re the most powerful military in the history of the world.”

Asked again by CNN anchor Anderson Cooper if the U.S. would defend Taiwan if attacked by China, Biden replied: “Yes, we have a commitment to do that.”