US State Department Condemns Beijing’s Taiwan Blockade Drills

WASHINGTON, D.C. : The US State Department issued a stern warning to Beijing on Thursday, describing China’s recent large-scale military exercises around Taiwan as an “unnecessary” escalation that threatens regional stability.

Earlier this week, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) launched missiles and deployed dozens of fighter jets, navy ships, and coastguard vessels to encircle Taiwan’s main island. Beijing confirmed the maneuvers were intended to simulate a full-scale blockade of Taiwan’s primary ports.

Taipei has since condemned the drills, labeling them “highly provocative” and a direct threat to democratic sovereignty.

In a statement released Thursday, State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott called on the Chinese government to pivot away from coercion.

“China’s military activities and rhetoric toward Taiwan and others in the region increase tensions unnecessarily,” Pigott said. “We urge Beijing to exercise restraint, cease its military pressure against Taiwan, and instead engage in meaningful dialogue.”

Pigott reiterated that the United States remains committed to peace across the Taiwan Strait and continues to oppose any “unilateral changes to the status quo,” specifically those involving force or economic coercion.

The drills—the sixth major round of maneuvers since 2022—follow the Trump administration’s recent approval of an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan. While the U.S. has maintained a policy of “strategic ambiguity” regarding direct military intervention, it remains legally bound to support Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities.

Beijing maintains that Taiwan is a part of its territory and has repeatedly refused to rule out the use of force to achieve “reunification.”