TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Saturday (Oct. 19) thanked legislators from more than 30 countries who expressed support for Taiwan during China’s “Joint Sword-2024B” military drills.

The Oct. 14 maneuvers surrounding Taiwan were seen as a reaction to President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) first National Day speech since taking office in May. China’s drills lasted one day but involved nine areas around Taiwan, while the same day, the aircraft carrier Liaoning led a strike group through the Bashi Channel between Taiwan and the Philippines into the West Pacific.

MOFA said officials and lawmakers from Taiwan’s diplomatic allies, the European Union, and more than 30 countries including the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Lithuania, and South Korea had voiced public concern about China’s threats. They emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait while calling on China to show restraint.

Beijing should respect Taiwan’s democratic way of life and its willingness to cooperate with China on the global scene, MOFA said. The ministry asked the international community to continue paying attention to developments in the Taiwan Strait and to support Taiwan.

Military provocations and threats disrupting the regional status quo did not benefit positive relations, according to MOFA. Taiwan will continue to cooperate with countries sharing similar values to protect the rules-based international order and promote regional peace, stability, and prosperity, the ministry said.