Taiwan Applauds Japan-US Stand Against China's Growing Influence

Taiwan supports the Japan-US joint statement condemning China's attempts to reshape the global order. Japan and the US cited political, economic, and military coercion by China, emphasizing the need for peace in the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan pledges to deepen cooperation with partners to safeguard regional stability.

On Sunday, Taiwan endorsed the joint statement by the Japan-US Security Consultative Committee (SCC), also known as the Japan-US "2+2", condemning China's efforts to reshape the international order. The statement highlighted China's use of political, economic, and military coercion and technology diversion to bolster its military capabilities. Japan and the US expressed that such actions pose a serious concern to the Alliance and the global community, marking them as a major strategic challenge in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.

The high-level meeting featured Kamikawa Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Kihara Minoru, Minister of Defense from Japan, alongside US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. The joint statement emphasized the necessity of maintaining peace across the Taiwan Strait for both regional and global security. It urged a peaceful resolution to the cross-strait issues.

Further, Japan and the US reiterated their opposition to China's unilateral attempts to alter the status quo in the East China Sea, particularly around the Senkaku Islands and the Southwest Islands. Both nations confirmed that their stance on Taiwan remained unchanged and stressed the significance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

In reaction, Taiwan lauded the regulation and thanked the US and Japan for their dedication to maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that as authoritarian regimes seek to challenge global norms, Taiwan, as a responsible Indo-Pacific member, will strengthen partnerships with like-minded nations to uphold freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.

(With inputs from agencies.)