US ‘very concerned’ about China’s ‘provocative military activity near Taiwan’

(The Hill, Oct 5, 2021)

he State Department said on Sunday that the U.S. is “very concerned” about China’s “provocative military activity near Taiwan” following Beijing’s most recent show of air power near the self-governing island.

“The United States is very concerned by the People’s Republic of China’s provocative military activity near Taiwan, which is destabilizing, risks miscalculations, and undermines regional peace and stability. We urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure and coercion against Taiwan,” State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement.

On Friday, China flew 38 military aircraft into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone, believed to be Beijing’s largest military provocation seen yet.

On Saturday, it sent 30 warplanes toward Taiwan.

Since the beginning of the year, China has continuously flown military aircrafts into Taiwanese airspace as part of its ramped-up efforts to strengthen its territorial claim over the island. 

“China has been wantonly engaged in military aggression, damaging regional peace,” said Taiwan Premier Su Tseng-chang on Saturday.