Joe Biden ‘concerned’ over China’s Taiwan drills but doesn’t think Beijing will escalate
- In his first public comments on the issue since Pelosi’s visit, the US president says he is ‘not worried’, and the Speaker’s trip ‘was her decision’
- Following earlier large-scale exercises, China is conducting anti-submarine and sea assault operations in the area, maintaining pressure on Taiwan’s defences
US President Joe Biden expressed confidence on Monday that China would not escalate tensions further with Taiwan after a series of military exercises that shook the region.
“I’m not worried, but I’m concerned that they’re moving as much as they are,” Biden said, in his first public comments on the issue since House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the island last week.
“But I don’t think they’re going to do anything more.”
The president refused to fault Pelosi’s visit for setting off tensions with Beijing, telling a reporter who asked if her trip was a mistake, “that was her decision”.
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Mainland China military exercises continue around Taiwan beyond announced deadline
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre later condemned China’s drills.
“We’ve been condemning them since they started escalating,” Jean-Pierre said. “They are provocative, irresponsible and raise the risk of miscalculation. And that’s what he – the president – was referring to.”