The White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reaffirmed the United States’ opposition to any unilateral attempts to alter the status quo in the Taiwan Strait by force or coercion, amid Chinese military drills around Taiwan.
During a press briefing on Tuesday, Leavitt stated that President Donald Trump is focused on maintaining peace in the region and supports a peaceful resolution of cross-strait tensions.
“The President is emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait, encouraging the peaceful resolution of these cross-strait issues, reiterating our opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion,” she said, citing information from the National Security Council.
China Conducts Military Drills Near Taiwan
Leavitt’s remarks came in response to China’s latest military exercises, which the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) described as a “stern warning” to Taiwan.
📌 The PLA’s Eastern Theater Command announced that its army, navy, air force, and rocket force launched joint drills encircling Taiwan from multiple directions.
📌 The exercises focus on:
- Combat-readiness patrols
- Joint superiority operations
- Assaults on maritime and ground targets
- Blockades of key areas and sea lanes
📌 The PLA called the drills a deterrence measure against “Taiwan Independence” separatist forces, stating that they are a legitimate and necessary action to safeguard China’s sovereignty and national unity.
Taiwan Condemns China’s Military Actions
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) strongly condemned the Chinese military drills, calling them “irrational provocations” that undermine regional peace.
📢 Taiwan’s MND statement on X (Twitter):
“We strongly condemn the PRC’s irrational provocations. We firmly oppose PLA’s actions that undermine regional peace. Standing guard at the forefront of freedom and democracy, remain steadfast in defending our territorial sovereignty.”
US Defence Chief Pete Hegseth Vows to Counter “China’s Aggression”
The US response to China’s military actions follows Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s recent visit to Asia, where he vowed to counter Beijing’s aggression in the region.
The situation has been further complicated by recent incidents, including:
🔹 Taiwan’s detention of a Chinese cargo ship crew accused of cutting an undersea internet cable in February—the second such incident in recent months.
Rising US-China Tensions Over Taiwan
As US-China tensions escalate, the White House’s latest comments indicate a firm commitment to supporting Taiwan, while Beijing continues to increase military pressure around the island.
Will these tensions lead to further confrontations or diplomatic resolutions?