The PLA simulated a blockade of Taiwan on Monday and Tuesday with live-fire exercises encircling Taiwan proper. The seal of the US Department of State is pictured in Washington in an undated photograph. “They’ve been doing naval exercises for 20 years in that area,” he said after live-fire drills on Monday, touting his “great relationship” with Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平). The EU, UK, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the Philippines and Canada voiced concerns days before the State Department. The US has been committed for decades to ensuring Taiwan’s self-defense, while staying ambiguous on whether its military would intervene in an invasion.

Source: Taipei Times January 02, 2026 16:19 UTC