Remarks made by the American Institute in Taiwan and a joint statement issued by the British Office Taipei, French Office in Taipei and German Institute Taipei for expressing concern over recent Chinese harassment of commercial vessels in the waters east of Taiwan are deeply appreciated by Taiwan’s people and government.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, AIT stated that China’s claim to jurisdiction over waters that have been peaceably administered by Taiwan for over 70 years seriously undermines regional stability. The claim also contradicts China’s own statements that it would seek a peaceful resolution of any disputes, the ministry said.
The institution’s spokesperson further said that the U.S. rejects any claim by China that it has the authority to interfere with freedom of navigation and overflight, the freedom to lay undersea cables, and other lawful uses of the sea. The U.S. urged China to cease its military, diplomatic and economic pressure on Taiwan and to instead engage in meaningful dialogue with Taiwan’s democratically elected government.
The joint statement issued June 24 expressed similar sentiments, reiterating opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo, particularly by threat or use of force or coercion. It added that all navigational rights and freedoms, as well as the safety of seafarers and vessels, must be guaranteed and respected.
In response, the MOFA said that Chinese government vessels have continued to make illegal intrusions in the waters east of Taiwan and near Taiping Island throughout the month of June. Such behavior, which undermines peace, stability and the international order, has aroused serious concern in the international community, it added.
Neither Taiwan nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other, the MOFA said. Taiwan enjoys jurisdiction and rights over its territorial and adjacent waters in accordance with international law and the law of the sea, and China has no right to take illegal actions against any vessels exercising freedom of navigation within Taiwan’s exclusive economic zone, the ministry added.
The MOFA called on China to stop escalating its threats against Taiwan and the region and to cease its attempts to undermine the international maritime order. The ministry will continue to collaborate with like-minded countries to jointly safeguard lawful uses of the sea and defend regional peace, stability and prosperity, it added. (YCH-E)
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According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, AIT stated that China’s claim to jurisdiction over waters that have been peaceably administered by Taiwan for over 70 years seriously undermines regional stability. The claim also contradicts China’s own statements that it would seek a peaceful resolution of any disputes, the ministry said.
The institution’s spokesperson further said that the U.S. rejects any claim by China that it has the authority to interfere with freedom of navigation and overflight, the freedom to lay undersea cables, and other lawful uses of the sea. The U.S. urged China to cease its military, diplomatic and economic pressure on Taiwan and to instead engage in meaningful dialogue with Taiwan’s democratically elected government.
The joint statement issued June 24 expressed similar sentiments, reiterating opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo, particularly by threat or use of force or coercion. It added that all navigational rights and freedoms, as well as the safety of seafarers and vessels, must be guaranteed and respected.
In response, the MOFA said that Chinese government vessels have continued to make illegal intrusions in the waters east of Taiwan and near Taiping Island throughout the month of June. Such behavior, which undermines peace, stability and the international order, has aroused serious concern in the international community, it added.
Neither Taiwan nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other, the MOFA said. Taiwan enjoys jurisdiction and rights over its territorial and adjacent waters in accordance with international law and the law of the sea, and China has no right to take illegal actions against any vessels exercising freedom of navigation within Taiwan’s exclusive economic zone, the ministry added.
The MOFA called on China to stop escalating its threats against Taiwan and the region and to cease its attempts to undermine the international maritime order. The ministry will continue to collaborate with like-minded countries to jointly safeguard lawful uses of the sea and defend regional peace, stability and prosperity, it added. (YCH-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw
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