Washington, DC: The United States has expressed deep concern regarding the Chinese army’s joint military drills in the Taiwan Strait and around Taiwan. Matthew Miller, the official spokesperson for the US Department of State, called on China to exercise restraint. This statement from the US State Department follows two-day military exercises conducted by China on May 23-24, involving land, sea, air, and rocket forces, as reported by Taiwan News. These drills were initiated shortly after Lai Ching-te was inaugurated as Taiwan’s President on May 20.
In a statement, US Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed deep concern over the People’s Liberation Army’s joint military drills in the Taiwan Strait and around Taiwan. “The United States is deeply concerned over the People’s Liberation Army joint military drills in the Taiwan Strait and around Taiwan. We are monitoring PRC activities closely and coordinating with allies and partners regarding our shared concerns.,” Miller stated.
He emphasised that using a normal, routine, and democratic transition as a pretext for military provocations risks escalating tensions and undermines the longstanding norms that have maintained peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait for years.
US Department of State spokesperson stated, “The United States is deeply concerned over the People’s Liberation Army joint military drills in the Taiwan Strait and around Taiwan. We are monitoring PRC activities closely and coordinating with allies and partners regarding our shared concerns.”
“We strongly urge Beijing to act with restraint. Using a normal, routine, and democratic transition as an excuse for military provocations risks escalation and erodes longstanding norms that for decades have maintained peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, which is critical for regional and global security and prosperity and a matter of international concern,” he added.
Matthew Miller stated that US remains committed to its longstanding one China policy, guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the Three Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances.
The drills, spanning the Taiwan Strait and areas adjacent to Taiwan-controlled islands near China’s coast, commenced just days after Lai’s assumed office.
Days after Lai Ching-te was sworn in as Taiwan’s President, China launched two-day-long military drills on Thursday, surrounding the nation in what it called “punishment” for so-called “separatist acts,” CMNN report.
The drills are taking place in the Taiwan Strait, a narrow body of water that separates the island from mainland China, as well as north, south, and east of Taiwan, reported CNN. They are also taking place near Taiwan’s outlying islands of Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu, and Dongyin, which are just off China’s southeastern coast, according to a statement from the PLA’s Eastern Theatre Command.
Taiwan, in retaliation, has also deployed its own warships to monitor the situation. This comes as Beijing regards Taiwan’s Lai as a “dangerous separatist” as he backs island’s sovereignty and distinct identity, reported CNN. He succeeded two-term President Tsai Ing-wen, marking the Democratic Progressive Party’s unprecedented third consecutive term in power.
(With ANI Inputs)
