Source: Republic of China Taiwan
MOFA response to false claims regarding Taiwan in a joint press release issued by PRC foreign minister and AU
January 9, 2026
During a visit to Ethiopia, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi issued a joint press release with the African Union (AU) on January 8 following the China-African Union Strategic Dialogue. The joint press release blatantly disregarded objective historical facts and contained false statements, including the claim that “Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly condemns and protests the Chinese government’s continued efforts to spread lies and falsehoods in the international community so as to denigrate Taiwan’s sovereignty. It also expresses deep regret at the AU’s submission to and parroting of China’s political position, which deviates from international reality.
MOFA solemnly reiterates that neither the Republic of China (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is subordinate to the other. Taiwan has long played an active role in the international community and has made substantive and constructive contributions to its African and global partners. MOFA calls on the AU, an important regional organization, to adhere to objective facts and exercise independent judgement in its public remarks and statements.
China continues to repeatedly disseminate false narratives on international occasions, engaging in political suppression and discourse manipulation. Such actions, which contradict facts and undermine the international order, are not just absurd; they expose China’s attempts at authoritarian interference.
The sovereignty of the ROC (Taiwan) belongs to the people of Taiwan. Only they can decide Taiwan’s future. As a force for good in the international community, Taiwan will continue to defend the values of freedom and democracy and strengthen cooperation with like-minded countries to firmly defend the nation’s sovereignty, curb authoritarian expansionism, uphold the values of freedom and democracy, and further contribute to the international community.