The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade released a statement on April 3 indicating its deep concern over China’s military exercises around Taiwan. On the same day, the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade also expressed its concern on X.

In its statement, Australia said that it strongly opposed actions that increased the risk of miscalculation and escalation. It reaffirmed that such military exercises were disproportionate and destabilizing, adding that it had raised its concerns with China. Meanwhile, New Zealand called on China to exercise restraint and avoid actions that undermine peace and stability. Both countries expressed their opposition to attempts to unilaterally change the status quo and called for the two sides of the Taiwan Strait to resolve their differences through dialogue, not through the threat or use of force or coercion.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung welcomes these statements and thanks Australia, New Zealand, and all peace-loving countries for continuing to pay close attention to the security situation across the Taiwan Strait. He reiterates that cross-strait peace and stability are in line with the world’s interests and are of extraordinary importance to the international community.

MOFA stresses that Taiwan, as a responsible member of the international community, will continue to work with like-minded countries to jointly uphold the rules-based international order and safeguard peace, stability, and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and in the Indo-Pacific region.

Related Link(s)

• Statement on Australia’s response to recent PLA exercises around Taiwan
• New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade Official X Account