November 9, 2023
On November 7, Japanese Foreign Minister Yōko Kamikawa and Defense Minister Minoru Kihara met with British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Defense Secretary Grant Shapps in Tokyo. Following this Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting, the two sides released a joint statement reaffirming the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as indispensable to security and prosperity in the international community and calling for the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues. They also indicated support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) welcomes and affirms these actions.
The joint statement further stressed the two sides’ strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion and expressed serious concern over the situation in the East and South China Seas. It also called on all parties to ensure that their maritime claims are based on the relevant provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Cross-strait peace and stability are key to security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. MOFA welcomes any measures by the international community to ensure cross-strait peace. As a member of the democratic camp, Taiwan will continue to work with like-minded nations such as the United States, Japan, and the European Union on strengthening cooperation to jointly defend democracy, freedom, and peace within the international community.