‘Cease Military Pressure’: US Urges China to Show Restraint After Drills Around Taiwan
The United States has expressed concern over China’s latest military exercises around Taiwan, warning that such actions risk escalating tensions in an already volatile region....
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The United States has expressed concern over China’s latest military exercises around Taiwan, warning that such actions risk escalating tensions in an already volatile region. Washington has called on Beijing to halt what it described as unnecessary military pressure and instead pursue dialogue to preserve stability across the Taiwan Strait.
US Response to Chinese Military Drills
In a statement issued on Thursday, the US State Department said it was closely monitoring China’s recent live-fire exercises near Taiwan. The department noted that China’s military manoeuvres and accompanying rhetoric were raising tensions across the region.
The statement urged Beijing to “exercise restraint” and to stop coercive actions directed at Taiwan, reiterating Washington’s long-standing position that disputes should be resolved peacefully.
The US also reaffirmed its opposition to any unilateral attempt to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, particularly through the use of force or intimidation.
Details of China’s Exercises
The reaction follows a two-day Chinese military drill that concluded on December 31. According to Taiwan’s authorities and regional media reports, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) conducted extensive naval and air operations around the island as part of exercises referred to as “Justice Mission-2025.”
China described the drills as a “stern warning” against what it calls separatist forces advocating Taiwan independence. The exercises reportedly spanned five maritime zones and surrounding airspace, widely interpreted as a show of force aimed at pressuring the self-governed island.
Taiwan Raises Alarm
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence said the drills marked an unprecedented level of proximity. On the second day, the PLA reportedly launched 27 rockets, with 10 landing within Taiwan’s 24-nautical-mile contiguous zone, the closest Chinese live-fire activity ever recorded near the island.
In a separate update issued early Friday, the ministry said it detected six PLA Navy vessels, one Chinese official ship, and two Chinese balloons operating around Taiwan up to 6 a.m. Taiwanese authorities said their armed forces were monitoring developments closely and responding in line with standard operating procedures.
International Concern Grows
The drills have drawn criticism beyond Washington. The European Union, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines have all voiced serious concern over the exercises.
In a statement, the European External Action Service warned that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are critical to global security and economic prosperity, cautioning against any unilateral attempt to alter the status quo through military or coercive means.
Why It Matters
The Taiwan Strait is one of the world’s most sensitive geopolitical flashpoints, central to global trade routes and regional security. Escalatory military actions risk miscalculation between major powers and could have far-reaching consequences for international stability, supply chains, and diplomatic relations in the Indo-Pacific.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to bring it under its control. Taiwan rejects Beijing’s claims and maintains its own democratic government.