MOFA solemnly reiterates that the Taiwan Strait constitutes international waters, refuting false claims made by Chinese officials during recent meetings with the US
June 14, 2022
During recent meetings with the United States, Chinese officials repeatedly made the false claim that the Taiwan Strait does not constitute international waters but is instead part of China’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) solemnly refutes China’s baseless claims. MOFA reiterates that the Taiwan Strait is international waters and that freedom of the high seas as defined in international law applies to waters beyond Taiwan’s territorial sea limits. Taiwan has always accorded due respect to foreign vessels engaged in activities, including innocent passage, in the Taiwan Strait in compliance with international law. Taiwan also understands the benefits of and supports the freedom of navigation operations conducted by the United States that serve to promote peace and stability in the region.
MOFA condemns and rejects the Chinese government’s disregard of Taiwan’s position and its deliberate distortion of international law to downgrade the Taiwan Strait to the status of China’s EEZ. China’s actions clearly highlight its ambition to annex Taiwan. MOFA stresses that such posturing by China will do nothing to help diminish regional tensions. Taiwan will continue to work closely with like-minded countries to jointly safeguard the rules-based international order and advance peace, stability, and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and Indo-Pacific region.