U.S. Urges Restraint Amid China’s Military Drills Near Taiwan
The United States has expressed concern over China’s recent military exercises near Taiwan, emphasizing the importance of maintaining stability in the region. The U.S. State Department reaffirmed its commitment to peace across the Taiwan Strait and urged all parties to avoid actions that could escalate tensions.
China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) carried out large-scale drills, described as a test of its ability to enforce a blockade around Taiwan. The exercises included coordinated operations by naval, air, and missile forces, with the participation of advanced military assets such as the Shandong aircraft carrier group and H-6K bombers armed with YJ-21 hypersonic missiles.
According to reports from Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense, there has been a significant increase in PLA activity around Taiwan. The ministry stated that 76 PLA aircraft and 15 naval vessels were detected near its territory, with 37 aircraft crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entering Taiwan’s air defense identification zones (ADIZ). The ministry condemned the drills as a provocation and emphasized that Taiwan’s forces remain on high alert to safeguard its security.
The U.S., along with allies including Japan and the European Union, has urged restraint and called for diplomatic engagement to prevent further instability. As regional tensions persist, the focus remains on dialogue and peaceful solutions.
