Britain, France and Germany warn patrols threaten regional stability and maritime safety
TAIPEI: The de facto embassies of Britain, France and Germany in Taipei issued a joint statement on Wednesday expressing concern over recent Chinese coast guard activity in waters east of Taiwan, warning that the moves could undermine regional stability and the safety of international shipping.
The three European missions said they were closely watching what they described as “novel Chinese activity” near Taiwan, adding that such actions threaten freedom of navigation in a strategically sensitive region.
“We have noted with concern novel Chinese activity in the waters east of Taiwan,” the statement said. “These actions threaten regional stability and the freedom of navigation and safety of international shipping.”
The statement came as Taiwan intensified military preparations amid fears that Beijing could sharply shorten the warning time before launching an attack. Taiwanese officials have said China’s increasingly frequent military activity around the island has raised the risk of a sudden escalation.
Taiwan tests rapid-response capability amid rising pressure
Taiwan this week launched five days of “immediate combat readiness” drills to test whether its armed forces can react quickly if China abruptly turns one of its regular military exercises into an actual attack.
Defence officials said the drills are designed to speed up the transition from peacetime to wartime operations. Taiwan’s Defence Minister Wellington Koo told parliament that the military must be ready to respond instantly because the warning period for any Chinese attack appears to be shrinking.
Taiwan has also continued regular exercises aimed at strengthening deterrence, including recent tests of its US-made HIMARS rocket systems.
Beijing condemns drills as Taiwan pushes military overhaul
China criticised the exercises, accusing Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party of trying to pursue independence by force. Beijing reiterated that it seeks “peaceful reunification” but refused to rule out military action.
Meanwhile, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te renewed his call to modernise the island’s armed forces and increase defence spending to 5 percent of gross domestic product before 2030.
The United States, Taiwan’s most important security partner, has strongly backed those efforts. Washington says it is working with regional allies to maintain the status quo and prevent any attempt to seize Taiwan by force.
