US Statement Amidst China's Military Exercises Around Taiwan

The United States is seriously concerned about the military exercises conducted by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China around Taiwan, according to a statement from State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.

"The United States is seriously concerned about the joint military exercises of the People's Liberation Army in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding areas. China's response to the annual regular military exercises is unfounded and fraught with escalation," the statement released by the State Department reads.

The spokesman added that the United States calls on China to exercise restraint and avoid further actions that "could disrupt peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the region as a whole."

"We continue to monitor China's actions and coordinate our common challenges with allies and partners," Miller concluded.

Earlier, a spokesman for the PLA Eastern Theater Command, Li Xin, announced that China had begun joint military drills dubbed "Joint Sharp 2024B" around Taiwan on Monday.