US ‘Deeply Concerned’ With China’s Military Drills in Taiwan Strait

The U.S. State Department on Saturday condemned China’s military drills in the Taiwan Strait and around Taiwan as provocative, saying that the United States is “deeply concerned” while “strongly” urging Beijing to act with restraint. “Using a normal, routine, and democratic transition as an excuse for military provocations risks escalation and erodes longstanding norms that for decades have maintained peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” the State Department said in a statement on May 25. The department added that it’s monitoring China’s activities “closely and coordinating with allies and partners regarding our shared concerns.” The statement comes after China ended two days of war games around Taiwan in which it simulated attacks with bombers and practiced boarding ships....