December 22, 2023
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin made a visit to China on December 19 to attend the 28th regular meeting between the Chinese and Russian heads of government. The two sides issued a joint communiqué stating that Russia reaffirmed its adherence to the “one China principle,” recognized Taiwan as an inalienable part of Chinese territory, opposed any form of Taiwan independence, firmly supported China’s preservation of national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and backed China’s actions to realize national unification.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) solemnly refutes this false and absurd narrative. It strongly condemns the authoritarian Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regime for repeatedly attempting to undermine the sovereignty of the Republic of China (Taiwan), as well as Russia for toeing the line of the authoritarian CCP government.
MOFA reiterates that neither the Republic of China (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other and that the CCP regime has never governed Taiwan for even a single day. No distorted narrative on Taiwan’s sovereign status by any country can change the internationally recognized status quo across the Taiwan Strait.
MOFA also stresses once again that only the government that is democratically elected by the Taiwanese people can represent Taiwan. The authoritarian CCP government must recognize and respect this fact. China and Russia are colluding to advance authoritarian expansionism and undermine the fundamental values of democracy, freedom, the rule of law, and human rights. Furthermore, intimidating narratives such as “to realize national unification” pose a grave threat to regional and international peace and stability.
Taiwan is on the front line defending the democratic camp. Its people and government will continue to unite in protecting Taiwan against China’s rhetorical and military intimidation. At the same time, Taiwan will enhance cooperation with other democratic and like-minded nations to counter authoritarian expansion, preserve peace and security across the Taiwan Strait, and ensure a free, open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.