TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The foreign and defense ministers of Australia and the UK reiterated the importance of maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait in a joint statement issued after the countries’ ministerial consultations in London on Monday.
The ministers stressed that cross-strait issues should be resolved peacefully without the threat of force or coercion. They opposed any unilateral changes to the Taiwan Strait status quo.
The ministers also said Taiwan’s expertise in many areas is beneficial to the international community. They expressed support for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations and their desire to continue enhancing relations with Taiwan in economy, trade, science, and culture.
The statement also called on regional nations to adhere to international law and refrain from militarizing the South China Sea.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the joint statement, noting that it was Australia and the UK’s third public expression of support in two years.
Taiwan, Australia, and the UK share universal values such as democracy and freedom and are like-minded partners contributing to peace in the Indo-Pacific region, the foreign ministry said. Taiwan will continue to work closely with democracies to safeguard regional peace and a rules-based international order, it added.