U.S. and South Korea Condemn China's Military Drills Near Taiwan

United States and South Korea condemned China’s recent military drills near Taiwan as "provocative actions" that heighten regional tension, following their 2+2 ministerial meeting on Friday, per Focus Taiwan. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and South Korean ministers jointly emphasized maintaining stability in the Taiwan Strait and advocated for peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues. The statement also criticized increasing North Korea-Russia military ties, denouncing these actions as threats to global stability. Both nations reaffirmed commitments to uphold maritime security under international law in the Indo-Pacific.