G7's 'deep concern' on China's drills around Taiwan
Foreign ministers of the G7 - Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States - plus the European Union condemned Beijing's "provocative actions".
"These increasingly frequent and destabilising activities are raising cross-Strait tensions and put at risk global security and prosperity," they said in a joint statement on Sunday.
#G7 Foreign Ministers' statement on China's large-scale military drills around Taiwan. #G7Kananaskis2025 #G7Canada pic.twitter.com/tWdbWpDwQJ
— G7 (@G7) April 6, 2025
G7 members and the international community have an interest in maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, the statement said.
"We oppose any unilateral actions to threaten such peace and stability, including by force or coercion."
China rejected the joint statement, calling it a "mischaracterisation of the facts and truth and an interference in China's internal affairs."
"China deplores, opposes and absolutely does not accept this," a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Canada said.
China's military conducted the drills over two days in early April. The military said the exercise, involving the army, navy, air force and missile unit, included precision strikes on simulated key targets.
The Chinese Embassy spokesperson said that the exercises were "severe punishment" against the Taiwan government's "aggressive provocation to seek 'Taiwan independence'," as well as "a stern warning to 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces who deliberately undermine peace across the Taiwan Strait."
"No external force is in any position to point fingers at this," the spokesperson continued.
"We will never ever allow anyone or any force to separate Taiwan from China in any form. We will take all measures necessary to firmly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity."
In addition to regular military exercises, Chinese fighter jets fly almost daily into Taiwan's air defence zone, usually prompting a response from Taiwan's Air Force.
China regards Taiwan as part of the People's Republic and has repeatedly threatened to invade it in the past.
It has warned other countries, notably the US, to stop supporting Taiwan, which it regards as interference in China's domestic affairs.
Democratic Taiwan, with a population of around 23.4 million, has had an has had an independent government since 1949.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Politico
27 minutes ago
- Politico
Alaska senator blocks Navy chief confirmation
The hold is a way for the Alaska lawmaker to put pressure on the Navy so the Pentagon agrees to reopen the long-shuttered Adak Naval Air Station, located in the Aleutian Islands off the coast of Alaska. The Pentagon closed the base after the Cold War. Sullivan declined to comment. The Pentagon referred queries to the White House, which did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Capt. Adam Clampitt, Navy Secretary John Phelan's spokesperson, did not comment on the hold, but said Phelan 'is focused on maintaining our nation's maritime dominance and nothing will distract him from this critically important mission.' Sullivan has said that expanding the U.S. military presence around Alaska is critical to deter Russian and Chinese incursions in the region, and he has obtained endorsements for reopening the station from some top military commanders. While Sullivan pushed to include Adak funding in the GOP's recently passed megabill, the law's language says only that $115 million is for 'exploration and development of existing Arctic infrastructure.' The base was first used as a launching pad for U.S. missions against Japan in World War II. The island later played an important role in the Cold War, boasting a deep-water port, a pair of 7,000 foot runways and B-57 nuclear depth bombs. About 6,000 troops called the island home before the base was closed in 1997. Caudle appeared well on the way to confirmation — and the vast majority of military promotions are approved without opposition. But all 100 senators must agree to speed up consideration of nominees, which the Senate is trying to do to start its August recess. Sullivan's objection means that Pentagon and Senate leaders will need to strike a deal with him to continue the process. Sen. Majority Leader John Thune could hold extra procedural votes to get Caudle confirmed. But that move is highly unlikely as he would undercut a fellow Republican with a gripe against the Pentagon.
New York Times
27 minutes ago
- New York Times
Arab States Call for Hamas to Disarm Amid Push for a Palestinian State
The world's Arab countries for the first time have joined unanimously in the call for Hamas to lay down its weapons, release all hostages and end its rule of the Gaza Strip, conditions that they said could help the establishment of a Palestinian state. The surprise declaration, endorsed on Tuesday by the 22 member nations of the Arab League, also condemned Hamas's Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, which set off the devastating war in Gaza. The statement came at a United Nations conference in New York on a two-state solution to end the decades-long conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. 'In the context of ending the war in Gaza, Hamas must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, with international engagement and support, in line with the objectives of a sovereign and independent Palestinian state,' said the declaration. It was also signed by all 27 European Union states and 17 other countries. The declaration called for the deployment of 'a temporary international stabilization mission,' invited by the Palestinian Authority, which administers part of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, and 'under the aegis of the United Nations.' Many Arab leaders have working relations with Hamas and rule over populations that are deeply committed to the Palestinian cause. That has made them reluctant to break publicly with the group and to normalize relations with Israel, despite pressure from Western allies like the United States. Qatar hosts Hamas's political office and some of its political leaders, and has acted as a mediator between the group and both Israel and the United States. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Miami Herald
an hour ago
- Miami Herald
Trump planning to host G20 world leaders summit at his Doral resort, source says
President Donald Trump plans on bringing 20 of the most powerful world leaders to South Florida next year, along with an assembly of aides, a multitude of security personnel and millions in revenue for Miami. A formal announcement that the G20 summit, a meeting of the world's largest economies, will be held at the Trump National Doral golf course next year is in the works, a White House official told McClatchy. Aides are still finalizing logistics and dates, along with choosing the official logo for the summit. Bloomberg first reported the news. The United States holds the G20's presidency in 2026 — a position that rotates among the 19 participating countries and the European Union. While hosting the summit is a mark of prestige, it's also expected to be disruptive to Miami given the security needs, which will include road closures; state, federal and local law enforcement; and emergency responders. Brazil, which hosted the G20 in 2024, spent $60 million on security for the event, according to local reports. But there will be economic benefits. Local restaurants and hotels can expect to see a boost in revenue. When Pittsburgh hosted the G20 in 2009, the city brought in $35 million in hotel bookings and restaurant bills, per a study from the University of Toronto. Toronto saw an extra $100 million in its coffers when it hosted the G20 a year later. For the 2026 summit, the State Department put out a request for host city bids earlier this year. It was not immediately clear if the city of Doral submitted a formal bid. The proposal asked for a letter from the mayor, details on meeting rooms and an essay on 'why your city would be the ideal location for the G20 meeting.' While the main event is the world leader gathering, which is typically in November, before the Thanksgiving holiday, various officials on the minister level meet in the months beforehand. Ultimately, the decision on where to host the summit lies in the hands of the president. And Trump National Doral has the facilities for it, including 100,000 square feet of meeting space, according to the club's website, along with private cabanas and the Crystal Ballroom. It's not the first time Trump has turned to one of his private properties for his official needs. He's also faced criticism for personally profiting off the presidency. The White House was quick to push back against any suggestion Trump would profit off the G20. 'I would reject that premise entirely,' press secretary Karoline Leavitt told McClatchy when asked about it in Thursday's press briefing. During his first term, in 2020, Trump wanted to host the G7 at his Doral course. He faced enormous pushback and accusations of personal profit. He finally capitulated and moved the event to Camp David. Ultimately, the gathering was sidelined by the coronovirus pandemic. The leaders ended up meeting virtually. Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has hosted foreign leaders at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach and his golf club in Bedminster, N.J. But he's shown little interest in traveling abroad to meet his fellow statesmen. In June, he left the G7 meeting in Canada early, citing the conflict in the Middle East. And he's signaled he won't attend this year's G20 meeting, which is in South Africa. Trump has expressed his disapproval of that country's land policies, arguing they discriminate against white farmers. 'I think maybe I'll send someone else,' he told reporters on Air Force One Tuesday when asked about attending. 'I've had a lot of problems with South Africa. They have some very bad policies.'
