October 19, 2023
During a meeting in Beijing with leader of the authoritarian Chinese Communist Party (CCP) government Xi Jinping on October 18, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that there was only one China in the world, that Taiwan was an inalienable part of Chinese territory, and that Russia was firmly committed to the one China policy and firmly supported China in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) solemnly refutes this false and absurd narrative and strongly condemns the authoritarian CCP regime for repeatedly undermining the national sovereignty of the Republic of China (Taiwan), as well as Russia for toeing the line of the authoritarian CCP government.
MOFA reiterates that neither the Republic of China (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other and that the CCP regime has never governed Taiwan for even a single day. Taiwan is a modern democracy that actively defends its democratic system and respects human rights and the rule of law. In contrast, the autocratic CCP government has been a relentless oppressor of human rights, a willful expansionist, and a bully to neighboring countries over the years. No distorted narrative on Taiwan’s sovereign status by the CCP regime can change the internationally recognized status quo across the Taiwan Strait.
MOFA reaffirms that only the government that is democratically elected by the Taiwanese people can represent Taiwan. It also reiterates that the international community has long recognized the status quo that neither the Republic of China (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other. The CCP government must recognize and respect the facts and status quo. China and Russia are colluding to advance authoritarian expansionism and posing a threat to the fundamental values of democracy, freedom, the rule of law, and human rights. They are also seriously jeopardizing international security, peace, and stability, as well as the rules-based international order.
Taiwan is on the front line defending the community of democracies. Its people and government are united in protecting Taiwan against China’s rhetorical and military intimidation. Taiwan will enhance cooperation with other democratic countries to counter authoritarian expansion, preserve peace and security across the Taiwan Strait, ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific, and promote global stability and prosperity.