Washington DC [US], March 19 : A spokesperson from the United States Department of State heavily criticised China's recent military exercises near Taiwan, calling them as "brazen and irresponsible threats," while reaffirming the United States' long-standing support for Taipei (capital city), as reported by Taipei Times.
The spokesperson said, "China cannot credibly claim to be a 'force for stability in a turbulent world' while issuing brazen and irresponsible threats toward Taiwan."
According to Taipei Times, the official emphasized that Washington's long-standing commitment to Taiwan would persist as it has for 45 years, and the US "will keep supporting Taiwan in response to China's military, economic, informational, and diplomatic pressure."
"Together with our international partners, we strongly advocate for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and oppose any efforts to alter the status quo through force or coercion," the spokesperson added.
The spokesperson also stated that the US military was keeping track of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) movements around Taiwan, but provided no further details, as reported by Taipei Times.
According to Taiwan's military, on Monday, the PLA deployed over two dozen military aircraft across the median line of the Taiwan Strait and sent dozens more into Taiwan's air defence identification zone, coordinating with Chinese naval vessels.
Taipei Times reported that China's Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson, Chen Binhua, stated that the drills on Monday were a "just and necessary" action to protect national sovereignty and maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait.
He added that the drills were also a response to actions by "Taiwan's leader" who is spreading "separatist ideas promoting 'Taiwan independence'" and escalating tensions and confrontation across the Strait, referring to President William Lai, Taipei Times reported.
In October, during last year's "Joint Sword 2024B" military exercises around Taiwan, the State Department expressed "serious concern" over the PLA's drills in the Taiwan Strait and near Taiwan, calling them "unjustified" and warning that they could lead to further escalation.
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