The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) yesterday urged Beijing not to use military provocations or other methods to threaten or suppress Taiwan and undermine the “status quo,” as it expressed gratitude to friendly countries and diplomatic allies for showing concern in the past week.
“MOFA again urges China to recognize the Republic of China’s (Taiwan) existence,” the ministry said in a news release.
It also urged Beijing to respect the democratic and free way of life Taiwanese chose.
Photo: Yang Cheng-yu, Taipei Times
The ministry said it is willing to work with China in maintaining regional security, and pursuing peace and common prosperity.
“Do not attempt to use military provocations or other methods to threaten or suppress Taiwan and undermine the regional status quo,” the ministry said, adding that only through dialogue can the two sides develop a friendly relationship which meets the international society’s expectations.
“Maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is in the common interest of both sides of the Taiwan Strait and the international society,” the ministry said.
There is a consensus among the international society on maintaining peace and stability in the Strait and the wider Indo-Pacific region, it added.
“MOFA sincerely thanks our allies, the US, the UK, France, Germany, New Zealand, Lithuania, South Korea and more than 30 countries’ governments or parliament members, as well as the EU, for publicly expressing their concerns about China once again conducting military drills to intimidate our nation,” the ministry said.
Some also stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and called on China to act with restraint and resolve disagreements through dialogue, it said.
China’s People’s Liberation Army deployed fighter jets and warships to encircle Taiwan and held military exercises around the nation on Monday last week.
The ministry also urged all countries to continue showing support for Taiwan and concern about the situation in the Strait, as Taiwan will continue to work with allies and like-minded countries to protect the rules-based international order, the ministry said.
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