The U.S. Department of State said on January 1 that Chinese military exercises near Taiwan are unjustifiably raising tensions in the region and urged Beijing to stop the military pressure.
Military activity and China’s rhetoric regarding Taiwan and other regional countries unjustifiably heighten tensions. We urge Beijing to show restraint, stop the military pressure on Taiwan, and instead begin a meaningful dialogue. The United States supports peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and opposes unilateral changes to the status quo, including by force or coercion
– Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State Tommi Pigotta
Context and consequences
Earlier this week, China held exercises off the coast of Taiwan under the name “Mission Justice – 2025,” involving ground forces, the navy, aviation, and rocket forces. Beijing launched missiles and deployed dozens of fighter jets, military ships, and coast guard vessels, stating that the exercises simulated a blockade of major Taiwanese ports. Taipei condemned these actions as a threat to regional security and an outright provocation.
The exercises began 11 days after the United States announced the sale to Taiwan of a record-breaking weapons package – worth more than $11 billion, and after the statement by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaiti, who said that a possible Chinese attack on Taiwan could become a “situation that threatens the country’s survival” and would allow Tokyo to exercise the right to self-defense.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China condemned the U.S. decision to sell weapons to Taiwan. The ministry stated that such a move violates diplomatic agreements between Beijing and Washington, inflicts serious damage on China’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and undermines regional stability.
Last week, the PRC imposed sanctions on 20 U.S. defense-related companies and 10 top executives of American defense firms. China regards Taiwan as its territory. The Chinese authorities have repeatedly stated that they are ready to take the island by force. According to Bloomberg’s 2024 estimate, in the event of a Chinese attack on Taiwan, the war would cost 10% of global GDP and would also lead to a direct military confrontation between the PRC and the United States. Any potential military conflict around the island could involve the United States, which is a participant in several regional coalitions and, according to laws passed in the United States, any threats to Taiwan are treated as a matter of “extreme seriousness”.
In light of this crisis, the international community calls for restraint, dialogue, and diplomacy to reduce the risks of escalation and negative consequences for the economy and regional security.