U.S., EU voice opposition to Taiwan Strait status quo change amid PLA drills

Washington, April 1 (CNA) The United States and European Union have both reiterated their opposition to a unilateral change to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait after China's military launched a new round of joint military drills around Taiwan on Tuesday.

Asked to comment on the latest military exercises in the waters and airspace around Taiwan, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the National Security Council (NSC) briefed her on the exercises on Tuesday, U.S. time.

President Donald Trump "is emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait, encouraging the peaceful resolution of these cross strait issues, [and] reiterating our opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion," Leavitt said, citing the NSC.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce told CNA on Tuesday that China’s aggressive military activities and rhetoric "only serve to exacerbate tensions and put the region’s security and the world’s prosperity at risk." 

"The United States supports peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and opposes unilateral changes to the status quo, including through force or coercion," she said, adding that the U.S.' "enduring commitment to our allies and partners, including Taiwan, continues." 

Meanwhile, the EU diplomatic branch, European External Action Service (EEAS), expressed its concern over the Chinese exercises, saying the drills were "increasing cross-strait tensions."

"The EU has a direct interest in the preservation of the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. We oppose any unilateral actions that change the status quo by force or coercion," according to an unnamed EEAS spokesperson.

"We call on all parties to exercise restraint and avoid any actions that may further escalate tensions, which should be resolved through cross-strait dialogue," the EEAS spokesperson said.

The PLA's Eastern Theater Command announced on Tuesday morning the beginning of a new round of joint exercises around Taiwan, featuring the army, navy, air and rocket forces to "close in" on Taiwan in "multiple directions."

The exercises served as "a stern warning" to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, according to China's Taiwan Affairs Office.

In response, Major General Tung Chi-hsing (董冀星), director of the joint operations planning division under Taiwan's defense ministry, said Tuesday that Taiwan's military has established an ad hoc emergency operations center and deployed military aircraft, vessels and coastal missile systems following the PLA's announcement.

Taiwan's military was also conducting patrols and monitoring Chinese troops, Tung said.

The PLA has not announced when the ongoing drill will conclude.