BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC) – The St Kitts and Nevis government says the recent military exercises conducted by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) around the Taiwan Strait “heighten tensions and risk undermining peace, stability, and prosperity”.

“As a nation committed to international law and the peaceful resolution of disputes, St Kitts and Nevis underscores the importance of dialogue. The Taiwan Strait is a vital corridor for global trade and shipping, and its stability is a matter of international interest,” Basseterre said in a statement, in which it expressed “concern” over the military exercises.

St Kitts and Nevis is among a handful of Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries with diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which China regards as a renegade province and has been urging the international Community to adhere to its “One China” principle.

In its statement, the Terrance Drew government said it was calling on “all parties to uphold their responsibilities under the United Nations Charter” with St Kitts and Nevis reaffirming “its commitment to working with partners to safeguard global peace, stability, and development”.

Taiwanese President William Lai Ching-te said on Thursday that as head of state, his stance has always been clear “to resolutely defend national sovereignty and strengthen national defence”.

Lai has called for a US$40 billion increase in Taiwan’s military spending, but the proposal is stalled in the country’s legislature, where the opposition party currently holds a majority.

The United States (US) has also called on China to exercise “restraint” and avoid actions that raise tensions following a series of war games around Taiwan simulating a blockade of the island.

The US Department of State said in a statement that China’s bellicose language and military drills, which prompted sharp condemnation from Taipei, were a source of unnecessary strain.

“The United States supports peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and opposes unilateral changes to the status quo, including by force or coercion,” said State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott.

China fired missiles and deployed jets and naval vessels earlier this week in a simulation of military actions to encircle Taiwan.

While Chinese military drills have become a frequent occurrence, causing few disruptions to life on Taiwan, crackdowns on formerly autonomous areas such as Hong Kong have heightened speculation that Beijing has not ruled out military intervention to get Taiwan to comply with its wishes.