The U.S. and Japanese foreign and defense ministers held a “2+2” meeting on July 28th, where they strongly condemned the Chinese Communist Party’s destabilizing actions in the region. They issued a joint statement after the meeting, reaffirming the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China welcomed and appreciated this move, pledging to defend common values with the U.S. and Japan.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Defense Minister Minoru Kihara in Tokyo for the “2+2” security talks.
The ministers from the U.S. and Japan emphasized that their fundamental stance on the Taiwan issue remains unchanged. They reiterated the significance of upholding peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, calling it an “indispensable factor for international security and prosperity.” They encouraged a peaceful resolution to cross-strait issues and sent a clear message to the Chinese Communist Party that Taiwan’s political transition period should not be used as an excuse for provocations in the Taiwan Strait.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China issued a press release, stating that the U.S. and Japan held the foreign and defense ministers’ “2+2” meeting in Tokyo on July 28th. The joint statement issued after the meeting reaffirmed the crucial role of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait for international security and prosperity, and called for a peaceful resolution to cross-strait issues. The ministry welcomed and thanked the continuing emphasis on peace in the Taiwan Strait by the U.S. and Japan.
The joint statement also pointed out that the Chinese Communist Party seeks to change the international order for its own benefit through diplomacy and attempts to achieve its goals through military means. The U.S., Japan, and the international community expressed deep concern over this and viewed it as the greatest strategic challenge in the Indo-Pacific region.
Authoritarian states’ continual expansion and challenges to the rules-based global order have led to increased international turmoil. As a responsible member of the Indo-Pacific region, Taiwan will continue to deepen cooperation with like-minded partners such as the U.S. and Japan to defend the shared values of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. Taiwan will safeguard peace, stability, and prosperity in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region.