Australia Urges ‘Restraint’ Amid China’s ‘Destablizing’ Military Drills Near Taiwan

The Rocket Force under the Eastern Theatre Command of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) fires live missiles into the waters near Taiwan, from an undisclosed location in China, on Aug. 4, 2022. Eastern Theatre Command/Handout via Reuters

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Aug. 5 called out China for its “disproportionate and destabilizing” live-fire drills near Taiwan, noting that Australia will monitor the situation closely.

“Australia is deeply concerned about the launch of ballistic missiles by China into waters around Taiwan’s coastline,” Wong said in a statement. “These exercises are disproportionate and destabilizing.”