The US and EU have reiterated their opposition to a unilateral change to the "status quo" in the Taiwan Strait, after China's military launched a new round of joint military drills around Taiwan yesterday.
Asked to comment on the latest military exercises in the waters and airspace around Taiwan, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the National Security Council briefed her on the exercises yesterday.
Photo: Reuters
US President Donald Trump "is emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait, encouraging the peaceful resolution of these cross strait issues [and] reiterating our opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion," Leavitt said, citing the council.
US Department of State spokesperson Tammy Bruce said that Washington is closely monitoring China's military activity near Taiwan, which she said was serving to "exacerbate tensions and undermine cross-strait peace and stability."
"And once again, China has shown that it is not a responsible actor and has no problem putting the region's security and prosperity at risk," Bruce said in an e-mail.
"The United States supports peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and opposes unilateral changes to the status quo, including through force or coercion," she said.
Meanwhile, the European External Action Service, the body's diplomatic branch, expressed its concern over the Chinese exercises, saying the drills were "increasing cross-strait tensions."
"The EU has a direct interest in the preservation of the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. We oppose any unilateral actions that change the status quo by force or coercion," an unnamed service spokesperson said.
"We call on all parties to exercise restraint and avoid any actions that may further escalate tensions, which should be resolved through cross-strait dialogue," the spokesperson said.
The Chinese People's Liberation Army's (PLA) Eastern Theater Command yesterday morning announced the beginning of a new round of joint exercises around Taiwan, featuring the army, navy, air and rocket forces to "close in" on Taiwan in "multiple directions."
The exercises served as "a stern warning" to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, China's Taiwan Affairs Office said.
Major General Tung Chi-hsing (董冀星), director of the joint operations planning division under the Ministry of National Defense, said that Taiwan's military has established an ad hoc emergency operations center and deployed military aircraft, vessels and coastal missile systems following the PLA's announcement.
Taiwan's military was also conducting patrols and monitoring Chinese troops, Tung said.
The PLA has not announced when the ongoing drill is to conclude.
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