TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The US State Department has condemned an exercise the PLA conducted around Taiwan on Monday.
A spokesperson told CNA at noon, “China cannot credibly claim to be a 'force for stability in a turbulent world' while issuing brazen and irresponsible threats toward Taiwan.” The official said the US will support Taiwan.
The Ministry of National Defense reported Monday morning that Chinese military aircraft and ships conducted a “joint combat readiness patrol” in Taiwan’s air and sea space. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning (毛寧) claimed that China's military operation was "necessary, lawful and legitimate."
The State Department spokesperson responded: "Alongside our international partners we firmly support cross-Strait peace and stability and oppose any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force or coercion."
The words "brazen and irresponsible" are rarely used by the State Department in response to Beijing’s military actions. After former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's 2022 visit to Taiwan, China conducted military exercises around Taiwan, and the US called Beijing’s response “unjustified escalation.”
Subsequent military drills were typically met with a response from the US expressing "grave concern." After President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) first National Day speech in October, when China launched the "Joint Sword-2024B" military exercises, the US said it was “seriously concerned.”
Former State Department official Robert Wang (王曉岷) told CNA that it “sounds like stronger language.” Julian Ku (古舉倫), a law professor at Hofstra University, described the use of "brazen" as “a little unusual” and a “slight change in tone.”
Ku added the State Department’s language on China or Taiwan issues “has not shown any signs of softer language on China or on Taiwan as compared with the Biden administration, and probably a little more Taiwan supportive, as in this case.”
Since the end of 2024, China has both publicly announced exercises and not announced military operations against Taiwan, per CNA. On Feb. 26, the defense ministry reported that China broke international norms by setting up a live-fire zone approximately 40 nautical miles (74 km) off the coasts of Kaohsiung and Pingtung without warning.
The ministry said Tuesday the Chinese military carries out joint combat readiness patrols and military provocations three to four times a month, per UDN.
