MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA strongly refutes false claims by China regarding Taiwan following meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang and Mongolian President Khurelsukh

Date：2026-06-14
Data Source：Department of West Asian and African Affairs

June 14, 2026  No. 266  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) refutes in the strongest possible terms the false claims made by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a press release following a meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa. The press release, issued on June 13, seriously infringed on Taiwan’s sovereignty. MOFA condemns China for repeatedly exploiting interactions with other countries to disseminate baseless rhetoric regarding the so-called “one China principle” in an effort to distort the truth and mislead the international community.

The ROC (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent country, and neither it nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other. These are undeniable, objective facts and the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. No attempts to denigrate Taiwan’s sovereign status through erroneous narratives or joint statements can change this indisputable reality. 

MOFA once again strongly urges the world to seriously acknowledge China’s long-standing practice of utilizing various forms of coercion and incentives to undermine the sovereign decisions of other nations. These actions not only seek to suppress Taiwan, but they also pose major challenges to the global democratic system and the rules-based international order.

MOFA reiterates that Taiwan will continue to deepen cooperation with all like-minded countries to staunchly defend democracy. Regardless of any economic coercion or diplomatic bullying that the ROC (Taiwan) might face, it will steadfastly maintain its stance, actively engage with the world, and comprehensively bolster national resilience. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA strongly condemns China for taking various actions in Taiwan’s eastern EEZ that violate international law

Date：2026-06-09
Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

June 9, 2026  
No. 258  

Since its Ministry of Transport announced the launch of a so-called “special law enforcement operation for maritime traffic in waters to the east of Taiwan” late on June 6, China has continuously deployed coast guard vessels to intrude into Taiwan’s eastern waters. Between June 7 and 9, it even illegally harassed cargo ships exercising their right to freedom of navigation in waters surrounding Taiwan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the ROC (Taiwan) strongly condemns China for its absurd actions in infringing upon Taiwan’s sovereign rights and illegally interfering with ships at sea.
 
MOFA emphasizes that neither the ROC (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other; that Taiwan enjoys all sovereign rights in its eastern waters granted by the relevant provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea regarding exclusive economic zones; and that China has no right to take illegal actions within Taiwan’s exclusive economic zone against any vessels exercising their right of freedom of navigation.
 
MOFA reiterates that Taiwan will not tolerate any violation of its territorial sovereignty and sovereign rights. Moreover, Taiwan will not accept attempts by China to interfere in any way with vessels passing through Taiwan’s waters. Such actions violate international law and conventions, gravely disrupt the status quo, and seek to justify its unlawful maritime harassment with fabricated pretexts. Indeed, they fully expose the unrestrained nature of authoritarian China’s expansionist ambitions.
 
MOFA once again urges the international community to recognize the serious and immediate threat that China’s illegal actions pose to regional peace and stability, and to jointly oppose China’s unlawful conduct. The government of Taiwan will coordinate efforts across ministries and agencies to safeguard maritime security and continue to seek the support of like-minded nations in jointly maintaining security in the Indo-Pacific region. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

June 9, 2026No. 256The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) solemnly points out that China has no right to engage in law enforcement activities in Taiwan’s eastern waters under any pretext. Nor does China have the right to expand its claims to jurisdiction over waters surrounding Taiwan using as its rationale for the possible negotiation of maritime boundaries by Japan and the Philippines. Taiwan wholeheartedly refutes China’s continued attempts to regularize law enforcement activities and patrols in Taiwan’s eastern waters. MOFA strongly condemns China for disrupting regional peace and stability and for challenging the international order. MOFA solemnly states that any negotiations between parties should not affect the rights and interests of Taiwan. As Taiwan is a stakeholder in relevant areas, it will continue to work through multiple channels to express its stance to the nations involved while upholding Taiwan’s maritime rights.As concerns the possible launch of formal negotiations on exclusive economic zones and the continental shelf between Japan and the Philippines, MOFA has expressed the following to the governments of the two countries:First, in accordance with the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties as well as international legal precedent, bilateral treaties or agreements are only valid for contracting countries; they do not affect the rights and interests of third parties. Japan has made statements aligned with this position on several occasions. For example, on June 8, the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association stated that negotiations between Japan and the Philippines would not affect the rights of third parties. As such, negotiations on the delimitation of maritime boundaries between Japan and the Philippines do not have any effect on Taiwan, nor do they affect the present or future rights and interests of Taiwan as concerns its EEZ to Taiwan’s east. Second, if Japan and the Philippines engage in related negotiations in the future, the two parties should fully take into account Taiwan’s rights and interests in overlapping waters and maintain communication and consultations with Taiwan.Third, existing cooperation mechanisms－such as the Taiwan-Japan Fisheries Agreement, signed in 2013, and the Agreement Concerning the Facilitation of Cooperation on Law Enforcement in Fisheries Matters, concluded by Taiwan and the Philippines in 2015－remain in force. Taiwan continues to engage in communication and exchanges concerning related maritime issues with both Japan and the Philippines via these arrangements.MOFA also makes a clarification in response to false narratives that conflate the delimitation of exclusive economic zones with territorial or maritime sovereignty and make claims that Taiwan’s territory or territorial waters would be partitioned. Such assertions are not in keeping with how international maritime law actually applies and do not match the facts on the ground. In accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, an exclusive economic zone is a maritime regime under which a coastal state enjoys certain sovereign rights and jurisdiction over maritime resources. It is not indicative of a state’s territory or territorial waters.Therefore, negotiations on the delimitation of exclusive economic zones between Japan and the Philippines do not involve Taiwan’s sovereignty or the right of Taiwan’s fishers to conduct legitimate operations in Taiwan’s exclusive economic zone.Furthermore, Japan and the Philippines have not yet launched negotiations or established a timeline for doing so. Claims that Taiwan’s fishers will be immediately subject to onboard inspections, detention, or operational restrictions as a result of negotiations are inconsistent with the facts.MOFA will continue to remain in close contact with related countries and firmly uphold Taiwan’s maritime rights and interests as well as those of its fishers. MOFA urges all sectors to consider issues rationally and not be misled by false information. MOFA calls on the international community to pay close attention to China’s recent provocative actions in the waters surrounding Taiwan, which have undermined regional peace and stability, and jointly safeguard a free and open Indo-Pacific order. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA thanks Australia and New Zealand for issuing joint statement reaffirming support for peace and stability across Taiwan Strait

Date：2026-06-08
Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

June 8, 2026  
No. 254  

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung strongly affirms and warmly welcomes the joint statement released by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on June 6, in which they devoted a separate paragraph to underscore the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, oppose any unilateral action to change the status quo through coercion or the use of force, and encourage cross-strait dialogue. 
 
The statement was issued following a meeting between the leaders in Noosa, Queensland. Last August, the prime ministers also jointly underlined their consistent position on prioritizing a peaceful and stable Taiwan Strait. The statement released after the Australia-New Zealand Foreign and Defense Ministerial Consultations this March expressed a similar stance. The latest pronouncement is a further affirmation by the two governments of the need to maintain cross-strait peace and stability.
 
The two leaders’ statement also expressed concerns about the intensification of tensions in the South and East China Seas, including the militarization of disputed features and other destabilizing activities. It called on all countries to resolve maritime disputes peacefully in adherence with the principles of international law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
 
Australia and New Zealand are both important partners of Taiwan in the Indo-Pacific region that share the values of democracy and freedom. The government of Taiwan welcomes the continued focus of attention by Australia, New Zealand, and other democratic partner countries on the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the South and East China Seas. Taiwan will continue to deepen cooperation with like-minded nations to safeguard a stable, peaceful, and prosperous region. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to EU statement on Chinese interference in President Lai’s planned visit to Eswatini

April 22, 2026  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) expresses sincere gratitude and affirmation to the European Union for its statement that decisions concerning overflights should not be taken to achieve political objectives. The statement came in response to China’s politically motivated interference in international civil aviation operations and legitimate diplomatic exchanges, which led to the postponement of President Lai Ching-te’s planned visit to diplomatic ally Eswatini.An EU spokesperson stated on April 21 in response to a media inquiry that the European Union attached great importance to the Chicago Convention, under which civilian aviation was to be safe, orderly, and predictable. The spokesperson also stressed that overflight rights were a cornerstone of international civil aviation, while predictability and neutrality in airspace management were critical to safety, commerce, and diplomacy. While states exercised sovereignty over their airspace, the spokesperson continued, related decisions should be taken in a transparent and predictable manner, with the primary consideration being aviation safety and operational stability, not political objectives.President Lai had intended for the trip to enhance bilateral relations and promote cooperation projects. However, China applied political pressure on third countries and interfered with their control over their own airspace. This amounts to not only undue influence on international civil aviation but also a disruption of both regional flight security and normal diplomatic exchanges. MOFA emphasizes that, as a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan has always adhered to related international norms. It strongly condemns China for its actions. Moving forward, Taiwan will continue to work with the European Union and like-minded partners to deepen cooperation and uphold the rules-based international order so as to ensure an environment conducive to secure, open, and predictable international aviation and diplomacy.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to Polish government publicly expressing opposition to unilateral attempts to change cross-strait status quo

April 1, 2026The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) sincerely welcomes and appreciates the fact that recently the government of Poland for the first time publicly expressed its concern about growing tensions across the Taiwan Strait and its opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion. These statements were made by Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Władysław Bartoszewski in a written response to an interpellation by Kacper Płażyński, member of the Sejm, which was published on the Sejm website.Taiwan and Poland share such universal values as democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. Building on this foundation, the two countries have steadily strengthened bilateral relations in recent years. MOFA will continue to promote substantive cooperation and exchanges with Poland and other like-minded countries so as to jointly uphold the rules-based international order and safeguard peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and across the world.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA welcomes US fact sheet following US-Japan summit reiterating importance of peace and stability across Taiwan Strait

March 20, 2026No.102US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held a summit on March 19 in Washington, DC. A fact sheet issued by the United States following the summit reiterated that the leaders of the United States and Japan were committed to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of regional security and global prosperity, supported the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues through dialogue, and opposed any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo, including by force or coercion.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung sincerely welcomes and appreciates the fact that, following the US-Japan summit in February 2025, the leaders of the United States and Japan have once again voiced staunch support for maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and opposition to any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force or coercion.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs encourages the international community to continue to pay close attention to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan is the most critical hub in defending the first island chain. It also serves as a key node in advancing global prosperity and economic development. Based on shared interests, Taiwan will continue to strengthen cooperation with the United States, Japan, and other like-minded countries so as to maintain the status quo and jointly ensure peace, stability, and prosperity around the globe and across the Taiwan Strait. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi emphasizing importance of cross-strait peace and stability at first press conference since reappointment

February 20, 2026On February 19, Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi held his first press conference since his reappointment. During the briefing, Minister Motegi highlighted the utmost importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung appreciates and welcomes the remarks.Since its formation last October, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s cabinet has repeatedly urged countries to place emphasis on cross-strait issues at such major international events as the 28th ASEAN-Japan Summit, the 20th East Asia Summit, and the Japan-US summit. During both the Japan-China leaders’ meeting at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit and the Japan-China defense ministerial meeting last November, as well as China’s military exercises around Taiwan last December, Japan directly expressed deep concern to China over cross-strait and regional security. These pronouncements demonstrate that ensuring peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is integral to the security and prosperity of Japan and the world and in the shared interests of the international community.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) welcomes the continued cooperation among democratic countries to counter the expansion of authoritarianism. MOFA also calls on countries to pay close attention to cross-strait developments and take concrete actions to safeguard security across the Taiwan Strait. Looking ahead, Taiwan will further enhance its self-defense capabilities, build whole-of-society defense resilience, and work closely with friendly countries and allies to ensure the peace, stability, and prosperity of Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific region.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to false claims regarding Taiwan in joint statement between PRC and Uruguay

February 4, 2026  
 
Chinese leader Xi Jinping met with Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi on February 3. Following the meeting, China and Uruguay issued a joint statement which blatantly ignored objective reality and contained statements that gravely distorted the facts, including claiming that Taiwan was an inalienable part of China’s territory. 
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) solemnly protests and condemns the Chinese government’s repeated dissemination of malicious rhetoric in the international community and its efforts to denigrate Taiwan’s sovereignty. MOFA also expresses deep regret over the Uruguayan government’s subservience to China and alignment with its political position.
 
MOFA reiterates that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent country; that neither the ROC (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is subordinate to the other; and that the PRC has never governed Taiwan. Any attempt to distort Taiwan’s sovereign status or claim sovereignty over Taiwan based on false narratives is erroneous and unacceptable. China continues to use threats, enticements, and rhetorical manipulation to spread disinformation at international events. This not only seriously challenges the world order and peace, it also clearly underscores the malignant nature of China’s authoritarian interference in the affairs of other nations. Countries everywhere should pay close heed.
 
MOFA calls on the government of Uruguay to recognize the true intentions behind China’s global expansion of influence, to stop being complicit in China’s disregard for the facts, and to refrain from endorsing its intentionally aggressive statements that seek to undermine regional peace and stability. MOFA urges Uruguay to adopt a pragmatic and open attitude and work with Taiwan and other democratic nations in jointly safeguarding peace, stability, and prosperity worldwide.
 
Taiwan’s sovereignty belongs to the people of Taiwan, and only they can decide Taiwan’s future. As a force for good, Taiwan will continue to defend freedom and democracy and strengthen cooperation with like-minded countries so as to staunchly protect national sovereignty, counter authoritarian expansionism, uphold shared values, and contribute even more to the international community.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA solemnly refutes absurd claims by China’s Foreign Ministry and Taiwan Affairs Office following President Lai’s address on second anniversary of inauguration

Date：2026-05-21
Data Source：Department of Policy Planning

May 21, 2026  
No. 221   

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) solemnly condemns and refutes the absurd remarks made by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Taiwan Affairs Office on May 20 following President Lai Ching-te’s speech marking the second anniversary of his inauguration. They again falsely claimed that Taiwan was part of China and stated that Taiwan was soliciting external support and pursuing military buildup to seek Taiwan independence.

MOFA reiterates that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent democratic country and that neither it nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other. Taiwan has long upheld a democratic constitutional system and a free way of life. This is the status quo that Taiwan is determined to defend and the greatest consensus of the 23 million people of Taiwan. Regardless of how the Beijing authorities attempt to distort history or push certain legal narratives, they cannot change this internationally recognized status quo.

Taiwan is a guardian of democracy and the status quo. It remains committed to maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, but under no circumstances will it yield national sovereignty and dignity to coercion or pressure. Taiwan will do everything in its power to protect its democratic and free way of life.

To preserve cross-strait peace and stability, Taiwan will steadily bolster its self-defense capabilities and leverage its economic, trade, and technological advantages to become a pivotal force for promoting regional peace and stability. Taiwan calls on China to cease its military expansionism and gray-zone tactics across the Taiwan Strait and surrounding areas. Such actions are not supported by the people of Taiwan, and they underscore to the international community that China is the true troublemaker, disruptor of peace, and changer of the status quo in the region.

MOFA urges the Beijing authorities to acknowledge the objective fact of the existence of the ROC (Taiwan), respect the Taiwan people’s choice of a democratic and free system, stop repeated efforts to mislead the international community, and avoid further provocation and conflict. 

Taiwan will continue to work closely with the United States and other like-minded countries to jointly safeguard the rules-based international order and ensure peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. (E)