The Chinese military conducted large-scale exercises around Taiwan from Dec. 29 to 31. Lawmakers from multiple countries publicly expressed support for Taiwan, directly criticizing China’s intimidation as a threat to regional security and raising concerns over the military actions, demonstrating the international community’s high attention to regional security and the situation in the Taiwan Strait.
The Chinese military carried out exercises, including live-fire drills, in the sea and airspace surrounding Taiwan, drawing condemnation from neighboring countries and Western allies. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense established a contingency center and mobilized naval and coast guard units to monitor developments closely. During the exercises, multiple Chinese coast guard and naval vessels entered waters adjacent to Taiwan, prompting officials to maintain strict oversight to ensure navigation safety.
International community supports Taiwan
Laurent Mazaury, one of the vice chairs of the French National Assembly’s Taiwan friendship group, posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Taiwan’s right to self-determination should be recognized by the international community, and China’s intimidation of Taiwan is unacceptable. He stated that Taiwan has the right to live peacefully while restraining Beijing’s regional hegemonic ambitions.
Eric Martineau, another vice chair of the National Assembly’s Taiwan friendship group, said that China’s live-fire exercises around Taiwan violate the principles of the United Nations Charter, threaten regional stability, security, and global trade, and undermine international order and global peace.
Éric Bothorel, a French National Assembly member, stated that China’s military actions around Taiwan are not “exercises” but an escalation of tensions, applying pressure and intimidation on a democratic country, which is very dangerous for regional and global stability.
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Estelle Youssouffa also wrote, “China’s military exercises around Taiwan, including live-fire drills and port blockades, pose a direct threat to regional security and global maritime traffic.”
Rachid Temal, vice chair of the Senate Taiwan friendship group, posted that China’s live-fire drills around Taiwan severely undermine regional stability. The freedom of navigation in the Taiwan Strait must not be obstructed, and Taiwan’s future should not be coerced by military means.
‘US-Taiwan on the same front’ — Bipartisan US lawmakers voice support
U.S. bipartisan lawmakers also commented on China’s military actions.
Democratic U.S. Representative and co-chair of the House Taiwan Caucus, Mike Stanton, wrote on the 29th that if China believes escalating military exercises can intimidate Washington from supporting Taiwan, it clearly misjudges both U.S. determination and the growing strength of U.S.-Taiwan economic and security partnerships.
Stanton stated: “Our position is clear: the people of Taiwan will determine their own future democratically, not Beijing, and not under coercion.” He noted that China’s increasingly large-scale actions are deeply concerning, “appearing less like routine military exercises and more like rehearsal operations.”
As co-chair of the Taiwan Caucus, Stanton said he is leading efforts in Congress to strengthen Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities and ensure a united, bipartisan response to Beijing’s provocations. He emphasized, “The U.S. must continue to make clear that any harassment of Taiwan will face a swift and serious response.”
Republican U.S. Senator and chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Roger Wicker, also posted on X, noting that China’s exercises simulating an invasion of Taiwan are escalating. He stressed the need for urgent U.S. action to accelerate production supporting recent arms sales to Taiwan and implement Congress-authorized “presidential funding authority” and “Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative” funds for critical military capabilities.
Wicker called on lawmakers: “Our Taiwanese allies must put aside partisan differences and fully support the special defense budget proposed by President Lai. Time is running out.”
Republican U.S. Representative Mario Diaz-Balart wrote that the U.S. is on the same front as Taiwan and “will continue to oppose coercion, aggression, and actions that threaten regional stability.”
Although this round of military exercises around Taiwan was announced as concluded on the evening of the 31st, several international actors, including Japan and the European Union, remain concerned about China’s drills. Taiwan’s government and defense authorities emphasized that they will continue maintaining high vigilance and defense readiness to safeguard national sovereignty and regional security.
