The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Republic of China (RoC) Taiwan, on Monday urged nations around the world to recognise China’s authoritarian and expansionist nature, take concrete actions to support democratic Taiwan at this critical moment, unite in defending the values of freedom and democracy, and safeguard the rules-based international order, as well as the freedom, openness, and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region.
In a press release, the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that China on October 14 launched its so-called Joint Sword-2024B military drill around Taiwan, once again challenging the rules-based international order and gravely undermining regional peace and stability. Strongly condemning the Chinese action, Taiwan urged China to pull back and immediately cease its military provocations.
In his National Day address on Thursday, President Lai Ching-te had once again expressed goodwill to China and called for it to act responsibly and work with Taiwan to maintain the prevailing state of peace, stability, and prosperity. However, China remains determined to intimidate the people of Taiwan through military exercises and is attempting to threaten Taiwan’s democracy and unilaterally disrupt the status quo of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and throughout the region.
"MOFA solemnly denounces China and urges it to neither use false pretexts aimed at justifying disagreement and strife nor become a troublemaker that undermines regional peace and stability," the release added.
Meanwhile, the United States condemned China's military drills around Taiwan, saying the move was "unwarranted and risks escalation" as it urged Beijing to act with restraint.
"The United States is seriously concerned about the People's Liberation Army's joint military exercises in the Taiwan Strait and around Taiwan," US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement, referring to China's military.
The escalation comes days after US State Secretary Antony Blinken warned China against taking action in response to Lai's speech during the island's National Day celebrations.
