World

Britain warns China’s Taiwan drills raise risk of escalation

The British government has voiced concern over China’s latest military exercises around Taiwan, warning that the manoeuvres heighten cross-strait tensions and urging all sides to exercise restraint

Updated 5 months ago · Published on 31 Dec 2025 9:43AM

Britain warns China’s Taiwan drills raise risk of escalation
London considers the Taiwan issue is one to be settled peacefully by the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait through constructive dialogue (File pic) - December 31, 2025

BRITAIN said on Tuesday that China’s recent military exercises around Taiwan have increased the risk of escalation, reiterating its long-standing call for restraint and peaceful dialogue.

“China’s military exercises around Taiwan this week increase cross-strait tensions and the risk of escalation,” Reuters reported a Foreign Office spokesperson saying in a statement.

The spokesperson stressed that London views the Taiwan issue as one that should be resolved peacefully by the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

“We consider the Taiwan issue one to be settled peacefully by the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait through constructive dialogue, without the threat or use of force or coercion. We do not support any unilateral attempts to change the status quo or any activity that risks destabilising it,” the statement said.

Britain added that it remained concerned about the broader implications of heightened military activity in the region.

“We continue to call for restraint and the avoidance of any further actions that risk undermining peace and stability,” the spokesperson said.

In response, the Chinese embassy in Britain rejected the criticism, saying the Foreign Office’s remarks were “a misrepresentation of the facts, a manipulation of the truth.” - December 31, 2025

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