G7 defense ministers in a joint statement on Saturday singled out China over a number of concerns, including its “provocative actions” near Taiwan.
The defense ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US gathered in Naples, Italy, from Friday to yesterday for the group’s first ministerial meeting dedicated to defense.
In the joint declaration, they stressed “enduring unity and common determination to address, in a cohesive and concrete manner, security challenges, at a time in history marked by great instability.”
Photo: Massimiliano De Giorgi / Italian Ministry of Defense / AFP
In addition to voicing support for Ukraine, expressing concern about the escalating conflict in the Middle East and condemning North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, the ministers affirmed their “commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, based on the rule of law and upholding the principle of the peaceful resolution of disputes without resorting to the threat or use of force.”
“We reaffirm that maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is indispensable to international security and prosperity,” it said. “We are concerned about provocative actions, particularly the recent [Chinese] People’s Liberation Army military drills around Taiwan.”
“We call for a peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues,” it added.
The declaration also expressed concern about the situation in the South China Sea.
“There is no legal basis for China’s expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea, and we are strongly opposed to China’s repeated obstruction of freedom of navigation, militarization of disputed features, and coercive and intimidating activities, as well as the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels in the South China Sea,” it said.
They also expressed their “deep concern at China’s increasing support to Russia’s war economy” and the “destabilizing actions resulting from the strengthening military cooperation between China and Russia.”
In Taipei, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs thanked the G7 defense ministers for their firm support in maintaining the peaceful “status quo” in the Taiwan Strait.
As a responsible member of the Indo-Pacific region, Taiwan would continue to strengthen cooperation with G7 nations and take concrete actions to defend the universal values of democracy, freedom and human rights, it said.
Separately, the Australian Taiwanese Friendship Association (ATFA) on Saturday expressed gratitude to the Australian Senate, which on Aug. 21 unanimously passed a motion stating that UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 does not establish the People’s Republic of China’s sovereignty over Taiwan and does not determine the future status of Taiwan in the UN.
New ATFA president Kathy Sieh (謝明君) made the remark at the 27th inauguration ceremony of the association in Sydney.
Taiwanese in Australia urged the Australian government to take a leadership role in advocating for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, she said, adding that the presidents of other Taiwanese friendship associations in Australia and Taiwan-related civic groups also gathered at the ceremony to show their support for Taiwan’s participation in the UN.
The Taiwanese passport ranked 33rd in a global listing of passports by convenience this month, rising three places from last month’s ranking, but matching its position in January last year. The Henley Passport Index, an international ranking of passports by the number of designations its holder can travel to without a visa, showed that the Taiwan passport enables holders to travel to 139 countries and territories without a visa. Singapore’s passport was ranked the most powerful with visa-free access to 192 destinations out of 227, according to the index published on Tuesday by UK-based migration investment consultancy firm Henley and Partners. Japan’s and
NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT: An official said that Guan Guan’s comments had gone beyond the threshold of free speech, as she advocated for the destruction of the ROC China-born media influencer Guan Guan’s (關關) residency permit has been revoked for repeatedly posting pro-China content that threatens national security, the National Immigration Agency said yesterday. Guan Guan has said many controversial things in her videos posted to Douyin (抖音), including “the red flag will soon be painted all over Taiwan” and “Taiwan is an inseparable part of China,” while expressing hope for expedited “reunification.” The agency received multiple reports alleging that Guan Guan had advocated for armed reunification last year. After investigating, the agency last month issued a notice requiring her to appear and account for her actions. Guan Guan appeared as required,
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A strong cold air mass is expected to arrive tonight, bringing a change in weather and a drop in temperature, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. The coldest time would be early on Thursday morning, with temperatures in some areas dipping as low as 8°C, it said. Daytime highs yesterday were 22°C to 24°C in northern and eastern Taiwan, and about 25°C to 28°C in the central and southern regions, it said. However, nighttime lows would dip to about 15°C to 16°C in central and northern Taiwan as well as the northeast, and 17°C to 19°C elsewhere, it said. Tropical Storm Nokaen, currently
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