TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The US on Thursday joined several countries in condemning China’s large-scale military exercises around Taiwan, urging Beijing to “cease its military pressure against Taiwan.”
The PLA’s Eastern Theater Command launched its “Justice Mission 2025” military exercises on Monday, followed by live-fire drills in designated air and sea areas the next day. On Tuesday, the EU, UK, France, Germany, and South Korea condemned the drills, followed by Japan, Australia, and the Philippines on Wednesday, per CNA.
EU
The European External Action Service said that China's military exercises have further escalated tensions across the Taiwan Strait and jeopardized international peace and stability.
“Peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are of strategic importance for regional and global security and prosperity,” said the agency. It reiterated its call for all parties to exercise restraint and refrain from actions that could escalate tensions, which should be settled through dialogue.
The agency said, “The EU has a direct interest in the preservation of the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.” It added that the EU opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo, especially through force or coercion.
UK
The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office said that China's military exercises around Taiwan increase the risk of escalating tensions. It stressed, “A peaceful Taiwan Strait is critical to global prosperity and the UK economy.”
It relayed the British government's position that the “Taiwan issue” should be resolved peacefully through "constructive dialogue" between the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, rather than resorting to threats, force, or coercion. The British government does not support any unilateral attempt to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, “or any activity that risks destabilizing it.”
France
France's foreign ministry voiced concern over the exercises. Paris expressed its commitment to “seeing peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, which is vital to global security and prosperity.”
The ministry said that France is opposed to any unilateral changes in the status quo, particularly through force or coercion. It also called on all parties to refrain from any escalation.
Germany
Germany's foreign ministry expressed concern about exercises, noting that these actions are “increasing tensions and jeopardising stability in the Taiwan Strait," per Barron's. It said that “Peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are of strategic importance for regional and international security and prosperity.”
The ministry said, “Any change to the status quo must be peaceful and mutually agreed upon.” The German government called for "restraint and dialogue.”
Japan
Japan's foreign ministry said that the drills increase tensions in the Taiwan Strait and that Tokyo had “conveyed its concerns to the Chinese side.” The ministry said that it has been the Japanese government's consistent position that “it expects that the issue surrounding Taiwan will be resolved peacefully through dialogue.”
The ministry said that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are “important for the international community as a whole.” It closed by saying that Japan will continue to monitor the situation in the strait closely.
Australia
Australia's foreign ministry described China's military and coast guard exercises around Taiwan as “deeply concerning, destabilising and risk inflaming regional tensions.” It stressed that Canberra strongly opposes any actions that increase the risk of accident, miscalculation, or escalation."
The ministry emphasized that differences should be resolved through dialogue, rather than force or coercion. It reiterated Australia's opposition to any unilateral action to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait and said officials have “raised concerns with Chinese counterparts.”
South Korea
South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Park Il responded to the drills by calling for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, per AFP. Park expressed the hope that “cross-strait relations will develop peacefully through dialogue and cooperation.”
He added, “We will continue to monitor related developments while prioritizing peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and pursuing diplomatic efforts to promote our national interests.”
Philippines
The Philippines' defense department said it was “deeply concerned” over China's exercises, warning that these actions “undermine regional peace and stability,” per AFP. Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said, “The Department of National Defense is deeply concerned by China's military and coast guard actions around Taiwan that undermine regional peace and stability, further creating cracks in an already fragile geopolitical environment.”
Teodoro added that the “heightened scale of coercion has implications that extend beyond cross-Strait relations and into the broader Indo-Pacific community.”
US
The US State Department said that “China’s military activities and rhetoric toward Taiwan and others in the region increase tensions unnecessarily.” It called on Beijing to “exercise restraint, cease its military pressure against Taiwan, and instead engage in meaningful dialogue.”
It said that the US backs peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and opposes unilateral changes to the status quo, including the use of force or coercion.
Taiwan
Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that in addition to the statements from the other countries, the US “once again demonstrated that like-minded countries have taken a clear stance in support of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.” Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) thanked the US government for expressing concern over China's actions that have escalated tensions across the Taiwan Strait.
Lin said Taiwan and the US share the values of freedom and democracy, and the recent statements from governments and legislatures around the world show that maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is an international consensus and is in the vital interests of all parties. He said the UN Charter explicitly prohibits the use of force or the threat of violence, and this principle also applies to the Taiwan Strait and the surrounding waters of the First Island Chain.
