TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The leaders of New Zealand and South Korea reiterated their support for peace in the Taiwan Strait in a joint statement issued on Wednesday (Sept. 4).

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and President Yoon Suk-yeol underscored the importance of maintaining regional peace and stability at a summit meeting. Both sides emphasized a peaceful resolution of disputes under international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), per the statement. 

The two leaders said UNCLOS establishes the legal framework for all maritime activities and expressed “serious concerns” over Chinese belligerence in the South China Sea. 

Both sides supported stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and the rules-based order. They welcomed further cooperation through more frequent high-level dialogue on regional issues.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that it will continue upholding peace and stability in the strait, “opposing any attempts by regional hegemonic countries to undermine the status quo.”

The Taiwan government recently released a report estimating China spent approximately US$15 billion (NT$478.56 billion) on military exercises in the Indo-Pacific region last year. The Ministry of National Defense said, "The Chinese Communist Party's enormous military investment in recent years indeed has a negative impact on the peace and stability in the region, which is not conducive to global prosperity and development.”

Taiwan approved its highest-ever defense budget for 2025 last month, amounting to NT$647 billion. This is a 7.7% year-on-year increase and accounts for 2.45% of Taiwan’s GDP.