Trump weighs in on China's new military drills near Taiwan
Photo: US President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump downplayed the significance of China's new military maneuvers near Taiwan, calling them routine exercises that Beijing has been conducting in the region for many years, Bloomberg reports.
Trump made his comments after China announced the start of large-scale military exercises near Taiwan, which, according to Beijing, include live-fire drills.
The exercises began shortly after the US announced one of its largest military aid packages to Taipei.
Responding to questions from reporters, Trump emphasizes his excellent relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping:
"I have a great relationship with President Xi and he hasn’t told me anything about it. I certainly have seen it, but he hasn’t told me anything about it. And I don’t believe he’s going to be doing it," Trump says during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The US President also notes that Chinese naval exercises near Taiwan are nothing new.
"They’ve been doing naval exercises for 20 years in that area," Trump adds.
Background
On December 29, several units of the Eastern Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) began military exercises called Justice Mission 2025. The maneuvers are taking place around Taiwan.
According to media reports, military activity around Taiwan has escalated sharply. China's large-scale maneuvers have affected the sea and air, causing concern in the region and close attention from international observers.
The US has also approved the largest military aid package in history for Taiwan. It will amount to $11.1 billion, and the decision is considered the most significant in the history of US-Taiwan relations.
The Chinese government considers Taiwan to be its territory and does not rule out the use of force to seize it. Taiwan, in turn, considers itself an independent state, with its own constitution and democratically elected leaders.
