TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The U.S. State Department said on Saturday (May 25) that Washington was “deeply concerned” over the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) joint military drills in the Taiwan Strait and around Taiwan. 

“We are monitoring PRC (People’s Republic of China) activities closely and coordinating with allies and partners regarding our shared concerns,” the State Department said in a press statement. “We strongly urge Beijing to act with restraint.”

China announced two days of military drills it dubbed “Joint Sword 2024A” on Thursday (May 23) and Friday (May 24). China said the exercises were a “punishment” in response to comments made during President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) inaugural address on May 20.  

“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,” the State Department added. 

However, experts pointed out that the Chinese drills were likely scheduled in advance. “Although Beijing is depicting them as a necessary reaction to President Lai’s comments during his inauguration, the Chinese leadership was always going to find something that displeases it and therefore ‘compels’ it to react,” Taipei-based security analyst J. Michael Cole told Nikkei Asia.

During China’s two days of drills, the PLA sent 111 Chinese military aircraft and 53 naval ships around Taiwan. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense described the exercises as an “irrational provocation” and sent naval, air, and ground assets to respond.