The U.S. announced that the nation will continue to support Taiwan, following the second day of China’s large-scale military exercise near its coast.
On Tuesday, Chinese forces launched a joint exercise over the East China Sea. Taiwan’s defense ministry stated that this morning, they detected 76 aircraft, 15 navy vessels and 4 official ships. China also confirmed an exercise of precision strikes on simulated targets.
The U.S. Department of State’s spokesperson, Tammy Bruce, stated that the U.S. will continue enduring commitment to Taiwan and other allies despite facing China’s intimidation tactics and destabilizing behavior. The department also criticized China for raising tension and destabilizing world peace.
David Silbey, a professor at Cornell University, stated that China aims to remind Taiwan of the mainland’s military might. Some also viewed the exercise as a sign of anger toward the island’s current president, Lai Ching-te. Last month, he proposed legal and economic measures to counter China’s infiltration.
China has viewed the democratically governed island as part of its territory, and promised to retake it by force if necessary. Since Lai took office in 2024, the mainland has launched several military drills near Taiwan’s coast and sent fighter jets to enter the island’s air space.
