On Thursday, China initiated a series of live-fire exercises in the Taiwan Strait. These drills commenced shortly after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio raised concerns over any efforts to hinder trade in this crucial maritime corridor.
The maritime safety agency of China identified specific drill zones near Dongshan Island, located in Fujian province, following Rubio’s meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Manila. This encounter took place during a regional summit in the Philippines.
Rubio informed reporters on Wednesday about discussions with Wang concerning Taiwan. Taiwan operates as a self-governing democracy, which Beijing claims as part of its territory. However, Taipei firmly dismisses these sovereignty claims.
Rubio emphasized that China’s military activities near Taiwan contradict agreements on strategic stability, a reference to the detente reached between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in May at a Beijing summit. Taiwan ranks among the U.S.’s major trade partners and provides essential microchips to U.S. strategic industries.
China asserts jurisdiction over Taiwan and its adjacent waters, deploying warships and law enforcement vessels to conduct regular patrols to reinforce its claims.
In a social media post on Thursday, Rubio stated, “No nation has the right to restrict the free flow of commerce and travel through international waterways, including in the Taiwan Strait.”
Newsweek has reached out to the foreign ministries of both China and Taiwan for their comments.
This report is ongoing, with further updates expected.
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