On Thursday 23 May, EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy spokeswoman Nabila Massrali called for restraint on all sides following China’s announcement on the same day of two days of military manoeuvres around the island of Taiwan.
These activities “increase tensions between the two sides of the Strait”, she deplored in a press release from the European External Action Service (EEAS), calling for tensions to be resolved through dialogue.
She stressed the strategic importance of guaranteeing peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait for regional and global security and prosperity.
“The EU has a direct interest in preserving the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. We oppose any unilateral action aimed at changing the status quo by force or coercion”, she reiterated.
These military activities come a few days after the inauguration speech by Taiwan’s new president, Lai Ching-te, on Monday 20 May.
China has launched similar military exercises in the past, most notably in August 2022, following a visit to the island by Nancy Pelosi, former Speaker of the US House of Representatives. (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)