In a meeting held in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia on the 17th, the defense ministers of the United States, Japan, and Australia issued a joint statement emphasizing the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. The office of the President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) expressed gratitude today for the international allies’ attention and concern regarding the situation in the Taiwan Strait and the region.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles, and Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani held discussions on the 17th, stressing the critical importance of deepening defense relationships for maintaining peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region. The defense ministers of the three countries reiterated the importance of preserving peace in the Taiwan Strait, urging for peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues and strongly opposing any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo through force or coercion, while condemning the destabilizing actions of China in the South China Sea and East China Sea.
In their joint statement, the US, Australia, and Japan defense ministers stated, “We stand united and resolute in our commitment to establishing a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. In this region, the rule of law should be upheld, sovereignty respected, and countries should be able to make decisions free from coercion or the threat of force.”
Presidential spokesperson Kuo Yahuai of the Republic of China (Taiwan) remarked today that the joint statement by the three countries once again highlights that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are not only key regional issues but also essential elements for global peace and prosperity.
Kuo Yahuai stated that Taiwan stands at the forefront of the democratic front line and bears responsibility in the regional and international community. In the face of increasingly complex regional circumstances, Taiwan will continue to strengthen its self-defense capabilities, deepen cooperation with like-minded countries such as the US, Japan, and Australia, and collectively uphold the rules-based international order.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) sincerely appreciates the continued public stance of Australia, the US, and Japan in jointly safeguarding peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region. Taiwan will continue to collaborate with like-minded partners to defend the rules-based international order, promote regional peace, stability, and prosperity.