[Seoul=Newsis] Reporter Moon Ye-seong = The U.S. State Department has expressed opposition to the Chinese military’s provocative actions, stating that they disrupt regional peace and stability, following an unusual live-fire drill conducted by Chinese forces near Taiwan without prior warning.
According to Taiwan’s Central News Agency, on the 28th, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department stated in response to the agency’s inquiry (U.S. time, 27th) that “we are closely monitoring the situation, and China’s provocative actions around Taiwan undermine the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait and the region.”
The spokesperson also emphasized that “the U.S. has consistently opposed any unilateral attempts to change the status quo and has supported dialogue between both sides of the Taiwan Strait,” adding, “We expect both sides to resolve conflicts peacefully, without coercion, in a way that is acceptable to all the residents on both sides.”
According to Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense, on the 26th, a fleet from China’s Eastern Theater Command set up a temporary training zone approximately 40 nautical miles (74 kilometers) off the coast of Kaohsiung and Pingtung and conducted live-fire drills.
The 054A type frigate Huanggang, the 071 type landing ship Simingshan, and the 903 type supply ship Qianhudao were involved in the drills, with military aircraft, including the J-11, KJ-500, and drones, crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait to support the exercises.
Typically, China issues navigation warnings and announces the training zone through the maritime bureau before conducting live-fire drills at sea.
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense strongly opposed the unexpected exercises by the Chinese military, releasing videos of the situation at that time. The footage showed a Taiwanese soldier in wireless communication with a Chinese warship.
If Taiwan’s announcement is accurate, it implies that the Chinese military did not issue a prior warning regarding this exercise.
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense condemned China’s unannounced drills, stating, “We immediately dispatched naval, air, and land forces to monitor and stay alert, taking appropriate countermeasures.”
The Ministry also criticized, “China’s announcement to conduct live-fire drills in a specific area without prior warning in a makeshift manner poses significant risks to flights and ships and is an outright provocation against regional safety and stability.”
Furthermore, they pointed out that “this goes against the principles of mutual respect and shared prosperity that China has consistently advocated.”