China conducted so-called combat readiness patrol and military exercises in areas around Taiwan from April 8 to 10 on the pretext of President Tsai Ing-wen’s successful diplomatic visit themed “Meeting Democratic Partners, Fostering Shared Prosperity.” China’s behavior posed a serious threat to Taiwan’s security, escalated regional tensions, and undermined peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the Indo-Pacific. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) condemns China in the strongest terms and solemnly demands that the Chinese government squarely face the international community’s public appeals and expectations regarding peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. MOFA urges China to recognize the objective status quo and reality that neither side of the Taiwan Strait is subordinate to the other. Only if China stops its unwarranted and provocative intimidations of the Taiwanese people can cross-strait relations go on positively.

The government of Taiwan sincerely appreciates that the international community has continued to speak up for Taiwan in response to China’s willful and provocative military drills that undermine security across the Taiwan Strait. The executive and legislative branches of government and friends from various sectors of society of over 42 like-minded countries, friendly nations, and diplomatic allies have voiced support for Taiwan. The governments of Paraguay, Guatemala, Nauru, and Haiti have condemned China and expressed unwavering support for Taiwan. Coordinator for Strategic Communications of the White House National Security Council John Kirby said that the United States is closely monitoring China’s military exercises and is confident that the United States has sufficient resources and capabilities to protect its national security interests in the Indo-Pacific. He added that there was no reason for tensions across the Taiwan Strait to devolve into any kind of conflict. Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US Department of State Vedant Patel said that the United States is closely monitoring actions that erode cross-strait peace and stability and concern global prosperity. Affirming that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is of great importance to the security of Japan and the international community, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno stated that the Japanese government remains deeply concerned over and attentive to the situation. Japanese Minister of Defense Yasukazu Hamada called China’s military drills a coercive rehearsal of a complete encirclement of Taiwan, adding that the Ministry of Defense of Japan will continue to monitor related developments. In response to a question, Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Commission and the European External Action Service Nabila Massrali stressed the European Union’s concern over increased military activities by the People’s Liberation Army in the Taiwan Strait and around Taiwan, including incursions into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone and across the median line of the Taiwan Strait. She also stated that any escalation of tensions across the Taiwan Strait would have major economic and security implications for the region and the world.

MOFA reiterates that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign state, a fact that cannot be denied or distorted by any country. Interference in normal interactions between the people and government of Taiwan and other nations will not be tolerated. Every coercive act against Taiwan by China will only strengthen the resolve of the global democratic community to stand united against authoritarian expansion. MOFA urges the international community to continue to condemn China’s irrational military provocations, voice support for democratic Taiwan, and pay heed to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. It calls on nations worldwide to work with Taiwan to protect the rules-based international order and defend a stable, free, and open Indo-Pacific. (E)