Picture: Several Taiwan non-governmental organizations recently launched a joint signature in Taipei, asking Lai Qingde, the newly elected leader of Taiwan, to promote peace in the Taiwan Strait\ China News Service

According to China News Service, in response to reports that the United States and Taiwan held joint military exercises in the Pacific last month, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a regular press conference on the 14th, "I have noticed reports that ships from the United States and Taiwan have 'accidentally met'." He stressed that China's position against military ties between the United States and Taiwan is consistent and clear.

"We urge the US side to earnestly abide by the one China principle and the provisions of the three Sino US joint communiques, and stop the wrong act of US Taiwan military linkage. We also warn the DPP authorities that 'seeking independence by force' and 'rejecting reunification by force' are dead ends and doomed to failure, which will not be unexpected," said Wang Wenbin.

According to Taiwan media reports, about six ships from the United States and Taiwan participated in the exercise, including frigates, supply ships, and support ships, aiming to practice "basic" operations such as communication, refueling, and replenishment.

According to a source quoted by Reuters, the United States and the Taiwan region have been trying to expand military cooperation with the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) continuing to strengthen patrols and frequent military exercises in the Taiwan Strait. Due to the opposition of the Chinese mainland, the military contacts between the United States and Taiwan, including visits and training, have kept a low profile.

In response to the Reuters statement, the Taiwan Navy said that in order to deal with maritime accidents and reduce mutual "interference" between the two sides, the Navy's actions were consistent with the "maritime accident guidelines" promoted by the United States. The statement also said that the Taiwan Navy often contacted ships from other countries and conducted accident drills as required.

It is understood that the so-called "Code of Accidental Encounters at Sea" refers to the "Rules for Accidental Encounters at Sea" passed in 2014, which stipulates that when naval vessels or aircraft of various countries meet unexpectedly, necessary safety measures and means should be taken to reduce mutual interference and uncertainty and facilitate communication. The signing countries include 21 countries, including China and the United States.

The Taiwan Navy tried to cover up the so-called "encounter drills" by abusing the international multilateral agreements with the "Rules for Accidental Encounters at Sea". In fact, it was constantly challenging the peace situation between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits. At the same time, in recent years, the United States has continued to create a tense atmosphere around the Taiwan Strait, including joint military exercises with the Philippines to show off its force, in an attempt to plant grass in the minds of the DPP authorities and create more opportunities for the Taiwan Navy's "encounter exercises".