UK, France and Germany issue joint statement on Chinese military activities east of Taiwan

Great Britain, France, and Germany have issued a rare joint statement expressing alarm over recent Chinese military and coast guard activities east of Taiwan, warning that they threaten regional stability and shipping safety. The diplomatic pushback coincides with heightened tensions, as China sailed its newest aircraft carrier through the Taiwan Strait just hours after Taiwan launched a five-day military exercise to practice defending against a potential Chinese invasion.

European nations joint statement

• ▪The de-facto embassies of Great Britain, France, and Germany in Taipei stated that the novel Chinese activity endangered regional stability and shipping safety.
• ▪Great Britain, France, and Germany issued a joint statement on June 24, 2026, expressing alarm over Chinese activities east of Taiwan.

Chinese coast guard patrols

• ▪Taiwan reported in June 2026 that Chinese coast guard ships harassed commercial vessels near Taiwan by demanding they report their intended routes.
• ▪China deployed coast guard patrols east of Taiwan earlier in June 2026, which Beijing characterized as a maritime traffic enforcement and hydrographic survey operation.

Aircraft carrier Taiwan Strait transit

• ▪The transit of the Chinese aircraft carrier occurred hours after Taiwan commenced a five-day military exercise to practice responding to a potential Chinese attack.
• ▪China sailed its newest and most powerful aircraft carrier through the Taiwan Strait on June 23, 2026.

Taiwan military readiness drills

• ▪Taiwan began a five-day military exercise in June 2026 to boost combat readiness and test rapid deployment against sudden escalations of Chinese grey-zone warfare.
• ▪The Taiwanese Defense Ministry stated that the drills are designed to test military unit deployment speeds in response to a possible Chinese military attack.

Japan-Philippines maritime boundary tensions

• ▪Tensions between Beijing and Tokyo have risen since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested in 2025 that Japan's military could intervene if China attacks Taiwan.
• ▪Chinese state media stated that China's maritime maneuvers sent a warning to Japan and the Philippines over their plans to discuss maritime boundaries.

Grey-zone warfare tactics

• ▪China has increased pressure on Taiwan by sending military vessels and aircraft near the island almost daily and organizing occasional live-fire drills.
• ▪Grey-zone tactics refer to aggressive maneuvers, ranging from navy ship patrols to drone flights, that fall short of direct combat.

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