The US urges China to cease military pressure on Taiwan after large-scale drills, calling the exercises unnecessarily provocative and destabilising.
WASHINGTON: The United States has criticised China’s recent military exercises around Taiwan as unnecessarily raising regional tensions.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott called on Beijing to “cease its military pressure” and engage in meaningful dialogue instead.
“China’s military activities and rhetoric toward Taiwan and others in the region increase tensions unnecessarily,” Pigott said in a statement.
Beijing conducted the large-scale drills on Monday and Tuesday, simulating a blockade of Taiwan’s main ports with missiles, fighter jets, and naval vessels.
Taipei condemned the “highly provocative” exercises, while China defended them as legitimate.
A Chinese defence ministry spokesman warned countries to “stop stirring up trouble on the Taiwan Strait issue.”
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out using force for annexation.
The US reaffirmed its support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
“The United States supports peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and opposes unilateral changes to the status quo, including by force or coercion,” Pigott stated.
US President Donald Trump said he was not concerned about the live-fire drills.
“I have a great relationship with President Xi. And he hasn’t told me anything about it,” Trump told reporters.
“I don’t believe he’s going to be doing it,” he added, apparently referring to an invasion.
The drills followed the Trump administration’s approval of an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan.
The United States maintains a long-standing commitment to Taiwan’s self-defence.
Beijing’s show of force marks the sixth major round of maneuvers since 2022.
That year, a visit to Taiwan by then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi triggered China’s fury.
