US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller issued a statement in response to the People’s Republic of China’s (or PRC’s) military drills calling on China to exercise restraint in the Taiwan Strait region, while reaffirming the US commitment to peace and diplomatic agreements.
The statement was issued late Sunday evening US local time and reiterated that the United States is “seriously concerned” about reactionary PLA drills in the region, including the Taiwan Strait. The statement called on the PRC to exercise restraint and avoid actions that would further inflame regional tensions, further saying that the Taiwan Strait and surrounding regions were “essential to regional peace and prosperity” and pointing out that this is now a matter of international concern.
The statement closed saying that the US will continue to monitor the PRC’s activity and coordinate with allies on issues of common concern. Miller’s statement also noted that the US remains committed to following the one China policy, “guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the three Joint Communiqués, and the Six Assurances.”
Miller’s statement was made in response to the PLA’s military drills where army, navy, air force, and rocket force troops were dispatched to most areas surrounding Taiwan as a deterrent to “separatist forces seeking independence,” according to PLA senior captain. These drills are China’s response to Taiwan’s National Day Celebrations, held October 10, and have drawn widespread international scrutiny.