Escalating Tensions in the Taiwan Strait: U.S. Urges China to Halt Military Activities
Tensions in the region have escalated due to Chinese war games near Taiwan, according to the U.S. State Department. The department urged Beijing to stop its military activities and engage in peaceful dialogue instead. The U.S. supports peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and opposes any unilateral changes to the status quo through force or coercion. China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has threatened to use force to annex it. Beijing recently conducted military drills, including missile launches and fighter jet deployments, around Taiwan's main island, prompting condemnation from Taipei. Despite the tensions, President Trump expressed confidence that Chinese President Xi Jinping would not order an invasion, citing longstanding naval exercises in the region. The United States has a history of supporting Taiwan's self-defense, but remains ambiguous about direct military intervention in the event of an invasion. China's recent military exercises mark the sixth major round of maneuvers since 2022, following heightened tensions sparked by a visit to Taiwan by then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.