The joint statement issued by the Group of Seven’s foreign ministers and high representative of the EU reaffirming commitment to preserving peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is sincerely appreciated by the government and people of Taiwan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Issued Aug. 3, the statement raised concern over China’s recent threatening actions, particularly the economic coercion and live-fire exercises that risk unnecessary escalation. It called on Beijing to not unilaterally change the regional status quo and to resolve cross-strait differences by peaceful means.
The statement also reiterated commitment by the G7 and EU high representative to maintaining rules-based international order, peace and stability across the strait and beyond.
According to the MOFA, Taiwan is dedicated to engaging with the rest of the world, adding that no countries should interfere with friendly interactions between Taiwan and other members of the global community.
The ministry said the recent military activities by Beijing are a clear challenge to the rules-based international order and an attempt to change the cross-strait status quo. In addition to threatening regional peace and stability, such actions severely affect international traffic and trade, it added.
As a responsible stakeholder in the Indo-Pacific region, Taiwan remains committed to maintaining the peaceful cross-strait status quo. In the face of the escalating military threat, the government will continue to defend its sovereignty and security, the MOFA said.
The ministry also called on the international community to continue to stand with democratic Taiwan, adding that the government will keep working with like-minded partners to safeguard the shared values of freedom and democracy and maintain the rules-based international order.
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the MOFA said “Our gratitude to the foreign ministers of #Canada, #France, #Germany, #Italy, #Japan, #UK, #US & #EU for the @G7 statement on #Taiwan Strait peace & stability. We urge the global community to call on #China to halt military activity & #StandWithTaiwan.” (SFC-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw