TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The UK condemned China’s military exercise around Taiwan in a statement issued on Tuesday.
China’s exercise included patrols, blockade maneuvers, establishing deterrence, and trying to gain control of the surrounding area. The exercise was “a stern warning against ‘Taiwan Independence’ separatist forces,” Eastern Theater Command Spokesperson Shi Yi said.
The Eastern Command designated five zones around Taiwan for live-fire drills on Tuesday until 6 p.m. China's Maritime Safety Administration later added two more live-fire zones.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said the exercise raises cross-strait tensions and increases "risk of escalation.” Issues in the Taiwan Strait should be resolved “through constructive dialogue” and “without the threat or use of force or coercion,” the office said.
It added that Taiwan Strait peace is vital to the UK and global economy and opposed any unilateral changes to the status quo. The office called for “restraint and the avoidance of any further actions that risk undermining peace and stability.”
The UK sent two naval ships through the Taiwan Strait this year. The patrol vessel HMS Spey passed through in June, while the anti-submarine frigate HMS Richmond sailed with US guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins through in September.
The Richmond is part of Carrier Strike Group 25, which is centered around the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier. The carrier was deployed to the Indo-Pacific in April for an eight-month-long mission under Operation Highmast.
