The U.S. State Department has expressed unease at China's military activities near Taiwan, emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region. While China conducted military exercises around Taiwan, including simulated attacks with bombers and ship boarding maneuvers, Taiwan responded by criticizing the actions as blatant provocations that risk escalating tensions in the area.
The U.S. State Department's statement highlighted concerns over China utilizing a democratic transition in Taiwan as a pretext for military provocations, cautioning against actions that could disrupt the longstanding peace across the Taiwan Strait. China's decision to launch the Joint Sword - 2024A exercises shortly after Taiwan's new president, Lai Ching-te, took office was seen as a retaliatory move linked to Beijing's disapproval of Lai, whom they accuse of advocating separatism.
Beijing justified its military drills as a response to what it interpreted as separatist sentiments in Lai's inauguration speech, where he emphasized the independent status of both sides of the Taiwan Strait. The tensions between China and Taiwan have been further inflamed by Beijing's claims of sovereignty over Taiwan, a democratic nation that China regards as a renegade province.