August 3, 2022
On the evening of August 2, Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on the visit to Taiwan of Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States. The statement said that “the Chinese side is entitled to take any measures necessary to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity” and that “the PRC government is the only legitimate government representing all of China, and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China.” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) solemnly protests this inappropriate statement from Russia and strongly condemns its erroneous comment downgrading the national sovereignty of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
MOFA reiterates that neither the Republic of China (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other and that enormous differences remain between the two sides in terms of democracy, liberty, human rights, the rule of law, and other areas. These are internationally recognized facts. Only the government that wins the mandate of the Taiwanese people through free elections can represent them in the international arena. No matter how much the Chinese government attempts to distort the facts with regard to its claims over Taiwan, it cannot change this reality. On behalf of the government of Taiwan, MOFA expresses strong displeasure with Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and solemnly protests its disregard of the status quo and its echoing of China’s false claims.
Taiwan has long been subject to hybrid threats from the government of China. The government and people of Taiwan are determined to defend themselves and earn others’ support and to unite as one in protecting Taiwan against China’s rhetorical assaults and military intimidation. Meanwhile, the government of Taiwan will continue to strengthen cooperation with the democratic community to gain the support of like-minded nations. Taiwan upholds the values of democracy, freedom, human rights, and the rule of law and contributes to global economic development and regional stability. These serve to parry the expansion of China’s authoritarianism. Through close cooperation with like-minded countries, Taiwan will further strengthen international efforts to promote justice; resolutely safeguard the universal values of democracy and liberty and the rules-based international order; and ensure democracy, freedom, peace, and stability worldwide.