September 23, 2023
Following the meeting between President of the Syrian Arab Republic Bashar al-Assad and President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping on September 22, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a joint statement announcing the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two countries. The statement falsely claimed that “Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory” and noted that “Syria supports all efforts made by the Chinese government toward realizing national unification.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) solemnly refutes this absurd and spurious narrative. It strongly condemns the authoritarian Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regime for repeatedly attempting to undermine the sovereignty of the Republic of China (Taiwan), as well as Syria for complying with the authoritarian CCP government.
MOFA reiterates that only the government democratically elected by the Taiwanese people can represent Taiwan. That neither the Republic of China (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other is a long-standing, internationally recognized status quo. The authoritarian CCP government must recognize and respect the status quo and facts and stop coercing other countries into accepting its fabricated “one China principle.”
Taiwan stands on the front line in protecting democracy. The people and government of Taiwan are united in jointly defending against rhetorical assaults and military intimidation by communist China. Taiwan will also enhance cooperation with fellow countries within the democratic community to contain authoritarian expansion, safeguard peace and security across the Taiwan Strait, preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific, and ensure global stability and prosperity.