China Military Drills Near Taiwan Unnecessarily Raise Tensions

Chinese war games around Taiwan "unnecessarily" spiked tensions in the region, the US State Department said Thursday, calling on Beijing to "cease its military pressure." 

China's military activities and rhetoric toward Taiwan and others in the region increase tensions unnecessarily. 

We urge Beijing to exercise restraint, cease its military pressure against Taiwan, and instead engage in meaningful dialogue," State



Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a statement.

Beijing launched missiles and deployed dozens of fighter jets, navy ships and coastguard vessels on Monday and Tuesday this week to encircle Taiwan's main island, saying the drills simulated a blockade of main Taiwanese ports. 

Taipei condemned the exercises as "highly provocative." China claims that democratic Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to annex it.