White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a firm warning to the Chinese government after Beijing launched large-scale military exercises surrounding Taiwan. The joint military drills, which have yet to be formally declared, involved China’s army, navy, air, and rocket forces in a show of power aimed at the democratic island. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense has tracked 71 Chinese aircraft and 21 warships, including an aircraft carrier battle group entering Taiwan’s “air defense zone.” A spokesperson for China’s People’s Liberation Army said the exercises were meant as a “severe warning and forceful containment against Taiwan independence,” The Hill reported. Leavitt stated in a Tuesday press conference that President Trump “is emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait” and “reiterating our opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion.” The National Security Council has briefed the administration on the situation. Leavitt said that Trump considers Taiwan a strategic partner, providing billions in military aid, while U.S. law requires Washington to treat threats to Taipei with “grave concern.” In February, Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba issued a joint statement in opposition to any Chinese attempt to alter the status quo in the Taiwan Strait through force. Additionally, the State Department has removed language from its website that did not support Taipei’s independence during the Biden administration. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently met with counterparts in Japan and the Philippines, vowing to enhance United States military alliances to counter “China’s aggression” after recent displays. Taiwan’s Presidential Office condemned “China’s blatant military provocations” on X, saying such actions “threaten peace in the Taiwan Strait” and “undermine security in the entire region.” China views Taiwan as its sovereign territory and has repeatedly threatened to take the independently-governed island by force: “China’s reunification is an unstoppable trend — it will happen and it must happen,” a CCP spokesperson said in defense of the drills at a news conference on Tuesday.