BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – CHINA’S ongoing military exercises near Taiwan are drawing growing concern from the international community, with the Group of Seven (G7) labeling the actions as “provocative.”
Beijing has intensified military drills around the island, which it claims as part of its territory. However, Taiwan—seeking to maintain its semi-autonomous status—has received support from the United States and other allies.
In a media statement, the G7 expressed alarm over China’s maneuvers, saying: “We are concerned by China’s provocative actions, particularly the recent large-scale military drills around Taiwan.”
Taiwan is viewed as a strategically vital region, known for its development of advanced technologies and semiconductors. China has long sought to block the island from participating in international organizations, including the United Nations.
SKNVibes News reached out to the Office of the Prime Minister for comment. A response was promised but was not received by press time.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministers of the G7—comprising Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States—and the High Representative of the European Union, warned that the increasing frequency of Chinese drills could destabilize the region and threaten “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. We oppose any unilateral actions to threaten such peace and stability, including by force or coercion,” the statement read.
While the G7 continues to call for a peaceful resolution, there is mounting concern that Beijing is using the exercises as an intimidation tactic.
Tensions between China and the G7 have escalated in recent weeks. Last month, Beijing strongly objected to a statement issued by the group following the Quebec meeting.
“We condemn China’s illicit, provocative, coercive and dangerous actions that seek unilaterally to alter the status quo in such a way as to risk undermining the stability of regions,” the G7 said in that earlier statement.
In response, according to The Independent, China stated: “We reaffirm that our basic policies on Taiwan remain unchanged and emphasise the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”
