White House condemns Chinese missile launches near Taiwan, postpones own scheduled ICBM test

The White House has condemned China’s launching of five ballistic missiles near Taiwan’s waters.

China conducted the missile launch during military drills on Thursday, a day after U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.

According to the Japanese government, five of China’s missiles fell in Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby criticized the Chinese government’s actions during a Thursday briefing.

“Beijing’s provocative actions are significant escalation and its long-standing attempt to change the status quo,” Kirby was quoted as saying.

“We condemn these actions, which are irresponsible and at odds with our longstanding goal of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the region,” he added.

According to Kirby, allowing tensions to escalate is not in the interest of the U.S. As a precaution, the government has postponed its intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test, which was originally planned for this week.

“As China engages in destabilizing military exercises around Taiwan, the United States is demonstrating instead that behavior over responsible nuclear power by reducing the risks of miscalculation and misperception,” he said.

He noted, however, that U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had ordered the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and ships operating in waters near Taiwan to stay in the area.

Kirby shared that the U.S. will remain committed to the security of its allies in the region, including Japan.

On Friday, the Chinese government announced that it was discontinuing dialogue with the U.S. over areas such as climate and military issues.

Beijing, which called Pelosi’s visit “vicious and provocative actions,” had earlier announced sanctions against the lawmaker and her direct family members.

Featured Image via CGTN

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