US Pulls Up China For ‘Provocative’ And ‘Destabilising’ Military Activity Near Taiwan

“We urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure and coercion against Taiwan,” he added.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (File Photo)

Washington: Criticizing China for “provocative” and “destabilising” military activity after Chinese fighter jets and bombers made their largest-ever incursion into Taiwan’s air defense zone, the United States on Sunday expressed concern and urged Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure and coercion against Taiwan.

“The United States is very concerned by the People's Republic of China's provocative military activity near Taiwan, which is destabilising, risks miscalculations, and undermines regional peace and stability,” US State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement, Agence France-Presse reported.

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“We urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure and coercion against Taiwan,” he added.

Earlier on Friday,  Beijing marked the founding of the People's Republic of China with the largest ever incursion by the Chinese air force into Taiwan’s air defence zone.

A record 38 warplanes, including nuclear-capable H-6 bombers, entered the area in two waves on Friday.

Accusing China of “bullying” and “damaging regional peace”, Taiwan said that was followed by a new record incursion by 39 planes on Saturday.

Hitting out at Beijing for the air deployments, Taiwan Premier Su Tseng-chang on Saturday said “it’s evident that the world, the international community, rejects such behaviors by China more and more”.

The 23 million people in Taiwan live under the constant threat of invasion by Beijing.

China, which views the democratically governed island as its territory, has vowed to one day seize it, by force if necessary.

Beijing has ramped up pressure on Taiwan since the election of President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016.

The Taiwan President has categorically stated she views the island as “already independent” and not part of a “one China”.