US President Donald Trump on Monday described Beijing’s large-scale military exercises around Taiwan as routine activities that have occurred “for 20-25 years”, expressing no concern over the escalation and instead citing his personal rapport with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“I have a great relationship with President Xi, and he hasn’t told me anything about it,” Trump said in remarks to reporters during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
When pressed on whether the manoeuvres were a sign of impending conflict, Trump doubled down.
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“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,” he said.
“No, nothing worries me. They’ve been doing that for 20-25 years,” the President added when asked if the drills concerned him.
PLA kicks off military exercises around Taiwan
PLA kicks off military exercises around Taiwan
Just hours earlier, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) launched surprise drills code-named “Justice Mission 2025”, involving live-fire drills in waters and airspace in the Taiwan Strait and areas to the north, southwest, southeast and east of Taiwan’s main island.