October 14, 2024
Following China’s announcement on October 14 of the launch of the Joint Sword-2024B military drills, the spokesperson of the European External Action Service (EEAS) issued a statement later that day pointing out that China’s military activities around Taiwan had further increased cross-strait tensions. The statement reiterated that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait were of strategic importance to regional and global security and prosperity. It also reaffirmed the European Union’s direct interest in the preservation of the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion. In addition, the European Union called on all parties to exercise restraint and avoid any actions that might further escalate cross-strait tensions and to resolve disputes through dialogue.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly appreciates that the European Union has continued to pay close attention to Taiwan Strait developments and that it issued a statement reaffirming staunch support for cross-strait peace and stability immediately after China announced the launch of military drills. As a force for good in the world, Taiwan will continue to bolster cooperation and exchanges with European countries and other like-minded partners so as to jointly safeguard the values of freedom and democracy and uphold the rules-based international order, demonstrating to the world Taiwan’s determination to defend democracy.