Quad Ambassadors Meet in Beijing as China Holds Taiwan Drills

The top diplomats of the Quad nations met in Beijing on Tuesday. Their meeting happened at the same time as major Chinese military exercises around Taiwan. The Quad group includes the United States, Australia, India, and Japan. They held the talks to show their unity. U.S. Ambassador Nicholas Burns spoke after the meeting. "The Quad is a force for good, working to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific," he said. "It is always great to meet with the Quad Ambassadors here in Beijing." A "free and open Indo-Pacific" means support for safe seas and peaceful relations between countries in the region. During the diplomatic meeting, China's military, the People's Liberation Army (PLA), was holding drills. These exercises included live-fire practice near Taiwan. China claims the self-ruled island as its own territory. The timing highlights rising tensions. The Quad meeting in China's capital, during drills seen as a warning to Taiwan, sends a clear diplomatic message.