May 26, 2024
In a public address on May 25, US President Joe Biden reaffirmed that the United States was standing up for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. On the same day, the US Department of State issued a press statement expressing deep concern over the Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s joint military drills in the Taiwan Strait and around Taiwan. It stated that the United States was monitoring PRC activities closely and coordinating with allies and partners regarding shared concerns. It strongly urged Beijing to act with restraint, pointing out that using a normal, routine, and democratic transition as an excuse for military provocations risked escalation and eroded long-standing norms that for decades had maintained peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The Department of State stressed that cross-strait peace and stability were critical for regional and global security and prosperity and a matter of international concern.
The United States has, together with like-minded countries, reaffirmed on many occasions that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are critical to regional and global security and prosperity. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) appreciates that the United States has again expressed grave concern over the Chinese military willfully conducting provocative military activities around Taiwan and that it has reaffirmed its commitment to Taiwan’s security. Now, as democracy is being challenged, like-minded allies have unanimously called for China to exercise reason and self-restraint, stop coercing Taiwan, and refrain from any actions that undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, which are critical to Indo-Pacific prosperity and development.
MOFA points out that China’s using an inauguration—a normal, routine, and democratic process—as a pretext to impose military pressure and put forth intimidating narratives in an attempt to blatantly interfere in Taiwan’s democratic advancement cannot possibly earn international affirmation. Rather, it generates a high level of concern among countries worldwide over China taking actions as a provocateur that undermines the status quo. MOFA urges the Beijing authorities to change tack and resume cross-strait exchanges and dialogue based on parity and dignity and work jointly to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.