US asks China to exercise “restraint” on military exercises – DW – 05/25/2024

The United States Department of State urged China this Saturday (05/25/2024) to act with “restraint” in its military maneuvers around Taiwan, which lasted two days and ended on Friday night, and avoid “provocations” that could worsen their relations with the island, where the progressive Lai Ching Te, considered a “separatist” by Beijing, has recently assumed the presidency.

“We strongly urge Beijing to exercise restraint. Using a normal, regular, and democratic transition as a pretext for military provocations risks escalating tensions and eroding long-standing norms that have kept the peace for decades,” department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

The statement comes after Taipei detected a total of 62 Chinese warplanes and 27 ships as part of a second day of China’s military maneuvers around Taiwan. The statement said the United States is “closely monitoring the PRC (People’s Republic of China) activities and coordinating with allies and partners on our shared concerns.”

“Severe punishment”

In total, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MDN) detected 111 warplanes – 82 of which crossed the midline of the strait and entered Taiwanese airspace – and 53 Chinese naval and coast guard ships during two days of maneuvers designated as Joint Sword – 2024A (“United Sword” in English) and which simulated bomber attacks against the island.

The Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) launched the operation on Thursday morning as a “severe punishment” for the island’s “independence-related separatist acts” and a warning signal “against interference and provocation” by external forces. This is the fourth time since 2022 that China has resorted to such a maneuver to send signals.

Lai’s inaugural speech sparked the irritation of China, which considers Taiwan a “rebellious province.” The new democratically elected Taiwanese president said the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are not “subservient to each other,” which is the Communist rule. A declaration was considered that China and Taiwan are separate countries.

Miller explained in the US statement that these operations raise “deep concerns” for the US and threaten the “stability” of the Formosa Strait, also known as the Formosa Strait, which represents a serious threat to regional security and prosperity, global, and international concern.

DZC (EFE, Reuters)