New Southbound Policy Portal

 

While visiting Australia from August 15 to 16, Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon held bilateral talks with Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese. In a joint statement issued after their meeting, the leaders reaffirmed the importance of cross-strait peace and stability and expressed concern over rising tensions across the Taiwan Strait. They also called for the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues through dialogue, without the threat or use of force or coercion, and reiterated their opposition to unilateral changes to the status quo. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly affirms the statement and sincerely thanks the two countries for again underscoring the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, following a similar statement at the Australia-New Zealand Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations in February.

The joint statement also expressed grave concern about dangerous, destabilizing, and provocative behavior in the South China Sea. It called on all parties to adhere to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, de-escalate tensions, and resolve maritime disputes peacefully in accordance with international law. 

Maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the South China Sea has become a matter of global consensus. MOFA welcomes that like-minded countries are continuing to focus attention on the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea at international events and take concrete actions to uphold the rules-based international order. Taiwan remains committed to promoting values-based diplomacy and jointly safeguarding democracy, peace, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. (E)