In a statement issued on December 31, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said that China’s military exercises around Taiwan were destabilizing and risked inflaming regional tensions. It said that Australia opposed any actions that increased the risk of accident, miscalculation, or escalation, adding that Australian officials had raised concerns with Chinese counterparts.

In addition, in a statement on the social media platform X, New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade expressed the country’s concern over China’s recent military exercises. The post called for China to exercise restraint and avoid actions that may undermine peace and stability.

Following similar comments issued in April, these statements mark a further instance of Australia and New Zealand publicly opposing any unilateral changes to the status quo across the Taiwan Strait and calling on both sides to resolve their differences through dialogue rather than through force or coercion.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung sincerely thanks Australia, New Zealand, and like-minded countries in the Indo-Pacific region and around the globe for once again demonstrating support for peace and security across the Taiwan Strait and for articulating a clear position on maintaining a stable status quo across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan appreciates all countries continuing to pay close attention to the Taiwan Strait situation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates that upholding peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is the international consensus. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will continue to cooperate with like-minded countries to jointly safeguard peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and across the globe. (E)

Related Link(s)

• Official statement on the website of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
• Official post on the X account of New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade