(Central News Agency, reporter Wu Shu-wei, Taipei, 12th) The foreign and defense ministers of the United Kingdom and Australia held talks in London on the 10th and issued a joint statement afterward, reaffirming that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are of paramount importance. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) stated today that Minister Lin Chia-lung expressed high appreciation and welcome for the UK and Australia's joint public expression of support for Taiwan for the third consecutive year.
MOFA stated in a press release today that UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Defense Secretary John Healey, along with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defense Minister Richard Marles, held the "Australia-UK Ministerial Consultations" (AUKMIN) in London on the 10th.
MOFA noted that the two sides issued a joint statement after the meeting, reaffirming that maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is crucial, opposing any unilateral changes to the status quo, and encouraging dialogue over coercion or use of force. The UK and Australia expressed concern over China's destabilizing military exercises around Taiwan. Furthermore, the statement said the international community benefits from the expertise of the Taiwanese people, and the UK and Australia continue to support Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations and reaffirmed their commitment to deepening relations with Taiwan in areas such as economy, trade, technology, and culture.
MOFA stated that the UK, Australia, and Taiwan are like-minded partners sharing universal values such as democracy, freedom, and the rule of law, and are important forces for stabilizing peace in the Indo-Pacific region. As an indispensable member of the international community, Taiwan will continue to work closely with like-minded countries to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, expand Taiwan's international participation, uphold the rules-based international order, and jointly promote security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. (Editor: Hsieh Chia-chen) 1150612
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- Source: CNA (Central News Agency)
- Category: Taiwan