Customers dine near a giant screen broadcasting news footage of an aircraft taking off from China鈥檚 Shandong aircraft carrier while taking part in a combat readiness patrol and 鈥淛oint Sword鈥� exercises around Taiwan conducted by the Eastern Theater Command of China鈥檚 People鈥檚 Liberation Army (PLA), at a restaurant in Beijing, China April 10, 2023. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang
BRUSSELS 鈥� The European Union expressed concern on Monday over Chinese military drills around Taiwan, saying the island鈥檚 status should not be changed by force as any escalation, accident or use of force there would have huge global implications.
China鈥檚 military carried out aerial and naval blockade drills around Taiwan on Monday, its last scheduled day of exercises, with a Chinese aircraft carrier joining in combat patrols as Taipei reported another surge of warplanes near the island.
鈥淲e are concerned by the intensification of military activities of the People鈥檚 Liberation Army in the Taiwan Strait and around Taiwan, with incursions in Taiwanese Air Defence Identification Zone and crossing of the median line,鈥� EU Commission spokeswoman for foreign affairs Nabila Massrali said.
鈥淭he status quo should not be changed unilaterally or by force. Any instability in the Strait resulting from escalation, accident or use of force would have huge economic and security implications for the region and globally,鈥� she said.
鈥淚t is key to exercise restraint. Tensions should be resolved through a meaningful and open dialogue. The EU and its Member States will continue supporting efforts aiming to preserve peace and stability in the region,鈥� she said.