EU, UK, Philippines express concern over Chinese drillsStaff writer, with CNAThe EU and several countries in East Asia, including Japan, South Korea and the Philippines, yesterday voiced concerns over the latest Chinese live-fire military drills held near Taiwan and urged restraint to avoid escalating tensions. In a statement yesterday, the European External Action Service, the EU's diplomatic service, said that China's action "further increases cross-strait tensions and endangers international peace and stability." EU flags fly in front of a building at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on April 2. Photo: EPA-EFE"Peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are of strategic importance for regional and global security and prosperity. France expressed concern about "the scale of Chinese military exercises near Taiwan and urged all sides to refrain from escalation in order to preserve peace and stability in the region."

Source: Taipei Times December 31, 2025 07:05 UTC