The remarks of foreign ministers from the U.S., Japan and South Korea reaffirming the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait were sincerely welcomed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs July 16.
In a press conference following the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and related events July 11-14 in Jakarta, Indonesia, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said his country continues to oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo.
According to Blinken, the U.S. and its Indo-Pacific partners are concerned about China’s increasing assertiveness in the Taiwan Strait and the surrounding seas. About 50 percent of global commerce passes through the strait every day and 70 percent of the world’s semiconductors are made in Taiwan, he said, adding that safeguarding peace and stability in the region is in the interest of all nations.
Similar sentiments were expressed by Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and his South Korea counterpart Park Jin, the MOFA said, adding that such strong backing underscores the consensus of countries in the region.
The MOFA said Taiwan is situated at a strategic location and plays a key in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. The country will continue to work with like-minded partners such as the U.S., Japan and South Korea to defend their shared democratic values while jointly promoting prosperity and stability in the strait and the region, the ministry added. (YCH-E)
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