Reporting by Michael Martina; Editing by Cynthia Osterman
World
US urges China to cease military pressure against Taiwan
A screen broadcasts news footage of an Air Force aircraft taking part in military drills by the Eastern Theatre Command of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) around Taiwan, in a shopping area in Beijing, China August 19, 2023. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang Acquire Licensing Rights
WASHINGTON, Aug 19 (Reuters) – The U.S. urged China on Saturday to stop pressuring Taiwan, after Beijing launched military drills around the democratically governed island in response to Taiwan Vice President William Lai’s U.S. visit.
“We urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure against Taiwan and instead engage in meaningful dialogue with Taiwan,” a State Department spokesperson told Reuters in a statement.
The U.S. would continue to monitor the exercises closely, the department statement said.
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