TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The U.S. State Department issued a stern rebuke on Tuesday (April 1), accusing China of deliberately escalating tensions through aggressive military activities that threaten Taiwan. The formal statement warned that Beijing's actions pose significant risks to regional security and global prosperity, potentially undermining decades of relative stability in East Asia. American officials reaffirmed Washington's unwavering commitment to allies and partners in the region, particularly Taiwan, as China continues what the U.S. characterizes as increasingly destabilizing actions and threats.
A White House spokesperson revealed that President Trump has personally emphasized the critical importance of maintaining peace across the Taiwan Strait during recent diplomatic engagements. The administration has consistently urged all parties to pursue peaceful resolutions to cross-strait issues through dialogue rather than military posturing. Senior American officials reiterated the longstanding U.S. position supporting peace and stability in the strategically vital waterway, while firmly opposing any unilateral attempts to alter the status quo through force or coercion.
Taiwan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍), expressed profound gratitude for Washington's steadfast support of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait amid mounting tensions. During a press briefing, Lin meticulously detailed China's increasingly frequent military exercises, aircraft incursions, and various "gray zone" tactics deployed around Taiwan's periphery. The foreign minister did not mince words, explicitly labeling China as a 'troublemaker' undermining regional security with its provocative military maneuvers and diplomatic pressure campaigns.
Lin further urged the international community to confront the multifaceted pressure campaign being waged against Taiwan, highlighting not only military threats but also legal warfare and gray zone coercion tactics employed by Beijing. The foreign minister characterized China's unilateral actions as the primary driver of escalating regional tensions, creating ripple effects throughout the Indo-Pacific. Speaking with measured determination, Lin reaffirmed that Taiwan, as a responsible member of the international community, remains committed to collaborating closely with the United States and like-minded democratic nations to safeguard peace, stability, and shared prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and broader region.
A day earlier, the Chinese Eastern Theater People's Liberation Army (PLA) launched extensive military exercises in waters surrounding Taiwan, deploying an imposing array of military assets. The drills involved 71 aircraft sorties, 13 naval vessels, and four coast guard ships operating in coordinated fashion near Taiwan's territorial boundaries. Military analysts noted that the exercises specifically showcased China's capabilities in three key strategic areas: regional area control, joint blockade enforcement techniques, and precision strike operations — all components that would be critical in any potential conflict scenario involving Taiwan.
