TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) thanked leaders from the US, Japan, and South Korea for their support of Taiwan and peace efforts in the Indo-Pacific at the Asia-Pacific Economic (APEC) Summit in Lima, Peru this weekend. 

On Friday (Nov. 15), the US, Japan, and South Korea held a trilateral leaders' summit and released a statement emphasizing the need to maintain stability in the Taiwan Strait. On Saturday (Nov. 16), Chinese leader Xi Jinping (習近平) spoke on the topic of Taiwan with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru (石破茂) and outgoing US President Joe Biden in separate meetings. 

MOFA thanked Prime Minister Ishiba for informing Xi Jinping that Japan is concerned about the current situation and China’s behavior in the region, according to a press release. Ishiba asked Xi to act in a way conducive to a constructive and stable relationship between Japan and China, per Reuters. 

In a separate press release, MOFA expressed gratitude to US President Joe Biden for making it clear to Xi Jinping that the US opposes efforts to unilaterally change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. Biden also called on China to stop its military actions which could destabilize the region. 

During Xi’s remarks, he reportedly warned that Beijing would not accept any interference on issues of Taiwan, democracy, or human rights. Xi also warned Washington not to get involved in disputes between China and the Philippines related to disputed territory in the South China Sea.

In response to Xi’s comments, MOFA noted that China’s provocative actions and rhetoric are the primary cause of regional instability. MOFA thanked Biden for his comments affirming the US commitment to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. 

As the world prepares to work with a new Trump administration over the coming years, Taiwan remains committed to safeguarding its security and sovereignty with assistance from partner nations, per the MOFA press release.