China’s threat to Taiwan sparks debate over U.S. ‘One China’ policy

China’s threat to absorb Taiwan — through possible military action if necessary — has sent nerves soaring in this city while sparking debate half a world away in Washington about the long-held policy of “strategic ambiguity” of what exactly the U.S. military would do to protect the island democracy from an invasion.

Some argue that the era of strategic ambiguity is over. President Biden has responded to increased Chinese military drills near Taiwan by saying U.S. forces will defend the island in the event of an “unprecedented attack.”

Beijing and Washington have traded charges over which one is trying...