China launched military drills near Taiwan four days after Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te rejected Beijing’s claim of sovereignty over the island.
Taiwain’s Defense Ministry condemned the actions, writing on X, “#PLA Eastern Theater Command has announced joint military exercises in the surrounding waters and airspace near Taiwan. #ROCArmedForces strongly condemn the PLA’s irrational and provocative actions and will deploy appropriate forces to respond and defend our national sovereignty.”
The United States issued a statement saying it is “concerned” about the Chinese military’s move.
“The United States is seriously concerned by the People’s Liberation Army joint military drills in the Taiwan Strait and around Taiwan. The PRC response with military provocations to a routine annual speech is unwarranted and risks escalation,” Department of State Matthew Miller said.
“We call on the PRC to act with restraint and to avoid any further actions that may undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the broader region, which is essential to regional peace and prosperity and a matter of international concern. We continue to monitor PRC activities and coordinate with allies and partners regarding our shared concerns.”
Miller noted that the U.S. is “committed to its longstanding one China policy, guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the three Joint Communiqués, and the Six Assurances.”
Senior Captain Li Xi, spokesman for China’s Eastern Theater Command, said the army, navy, air force, and rocket force drills serve as a “stern warning to the separatist acts of ‘Taiwan independence’ forces” and called the drills a “legitimate and necessary operation for safeguarding national sovereignty and national unity.”
The Associated Press reported that China deployed 125 warplanes as part of the exercise.
