MOFA thanks those voicing support at UNGA for cross-strait peace, stability

2022/09/27

Support from U.S. President Joe Biden, the Group of Seven’s foreign ministers and the EU high representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on cross-strait peace and stability is sincerely appreciated by the government and people, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sept. 23.
 
During a speech Sept. 21 at the 77th U.N. General Assembly, Biden said the U.S. seeks to uphold peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait while continuing to oppose unilateral changes in the status quo.
 
According to the MOFA, this is the first time in recent years that a U.S. president has publicly stressed the importance of cross-strait peace and stability during U.N. activities, meetings or mechanisms. It follows Biden’s remarks earlier this month that the U.S. would help defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion, the ministry added.
 
The Biden administration has reiterated its unwavering commitment to maintaining the cross-strait status quo since China’s unreasonable military provocation escalated in August. The MOFA added that this is evidenced by several public speeches, statements issued with other like-minded partners and Freedom of Navigation Operations carried out in Taiwan Strait by the U.S. government over the past few weeks.
 
The government is committed to strengthening its self-defense capabilities and deepening partnerships with the U.S. in the face of China’s military coercion, the MOFA said. The country will continue working with like-minded partners to safeguard a free and open Indo-Pacific, the ministry added.
 
Biden’s remarks were followed by a joint statement released by G7 foreign ministers and the high representative of the EU, Sept. 22 calling for peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues. Further concern was expressed by the G7 and the EU in a statement released Aug. 3 conveying similar sentiments about Beijing’s actions in the Taiwan Strait.
 
In addition, the MOFA expressed appreciation for heads of government and foreign ministers from Taiwan’s allies who voiced support for the country’s inclusion in U.N. specialized agencies during the general assembly held Sept. 13-27 in New York City. These allies include Belize, Eswatini, Guatemala, the Marshall Islands, Palau, Paraguay, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Tuvalu.
 
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the MOFA said: “ We thank all #G7 foreign ministers & the #EU high rep. for stressing the importance of peace & stability across #TaiwanStrait on the sidelines of #UNGA77. #Taiwan will keep working with like-minded partners to deter unilateral changes to the status quo.”


Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)