Tokyo-(LM) Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) nations have issued a strong condemnation of China’s recent large-scale military exercises near Taiwan, expressing “deep concern” over the “provocative” and “destabilizing” nature of these drills.
In a statement released on Monday, the G7 ministers highlighted that these increasingly frequent military activities are elevating tensions across the Taiwan Strait and pose risks to global security and prosperity. “G7 members and the larger international community have an interest in the preservation of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” the statement read. “We oppose any unilateral actions that threaten such peace and stability, including by force or coercion.”
The G7 consists of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States, along with the European Union. The ministers reiterated their support for peaceful resolutions and constructive dialogue regarding cross-Strait issues.
Last Wednesday, China concluded two days of military drills near Taiwan, which included “long-range live-fire drills” aimed at simulating strikes on critical ports and energy facilities on the island. Beijing described these exercises as a means to “test the troops’ capabilities” in areas such as “blockade and control, and precision strikes on key targets.”
Experts noted that the strategic positioning of these drills around Taiwan appears designed to rehearse the potential cutting off of vital shipping lanes, crucial not only for the island but for the global economy as well.
China considers self-ruled Taiwan as an integral part of its territory and views the island as a renegade province that must be unified with the mainland, possibly by force. The Chinese government frequently deploys military aircraft and warships around Taiwan and conducts numerous large-scale military exercises.
While some analysts interpret these exercises as a test of the U.S. administration’s response, they also indicate China’s growing capacity to blockade Taiwan and provide troops with a glimpse of actual combat scenarios.
