TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday welcomed Australia and Germany’s support for peace in the Taiwan Strait.

In a joint statement issued on Thursday, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and her German counterpart Johann Wadephul stressed the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. They also reiterated “shared opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo.”

MOFA said in a statement that Australia and Germany are like-minded partners that share universal values such as democracy, freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. “Safeguarding peace across the Taiwan Strait and maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific region have become a global consensus,” the ministry said.

Wong and Wadephul called for peaceful cross-strait dialogue without the threat of force. They also expressed support for “Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations as a member where statehood is not a prerequisite, and as an observer or guest where it is.”

The two ministers expressed concern about rising tensions in the South China Sea. “We reiterate that disputes should be settled peacefully in accordance with international law and reaffirm the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award as final and binding on the parties,” they said.

MOFA said that as an indispensable member of the international community, Taiwan will continue to uphold the rules-based global order and work with others to strengthen peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.