U.S. condemns Chinese military exercises near Taiwan

The U.S. State Department on Sunday expressed concern about Chinese military exercises in close proximity to Taiwan. It called for Beijing to avoid escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait and promised to continue monitoring Chinese military activity in the area. The State Department also reiterated the United States’ commitment to providing defensive aid to Taiwan in the event of a conflict with mainland China.

China’s foreign ministry on Monday told the U.S. State Department to stay out of China’s internal affairs. Beijing claims the island of Taiwan as part of its territory, but Taiwan claims to be an independent republic. The United States formally observes a one China policy while conducting unofficial diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

What happened? Chinese naval vessels and aircraft conducted exercises around the island of Taiwan, according to a report by the Chinese state-run news outlet Xinhua on Sunday. The drills practiced strategies for blockading Taiwan’s ports, striking its sea and land targets, and seizing complete battlefield control Xinhua reported. The exercises also focused on testing the Chinese military’s real-time battle communications, Xinhua added.

What did Taiwan have to say about all this? Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te accused China of undermining peace and stability in the region. Taiwan was willing to engage in peaceful diplomatic discussions with Beijing, but it would not hesitate to defend itself militarily, Lai said. Last week, Lai insisted that his country would maintain its independence from mainland China.