The Republic of China, commonly known as Taiwan, has been an independent and sovereign state since its founding in 1912. The historic truth is that Taiwan has never been ruled by communist China. Therefore, it is entirely appropriate for Taiwan's democratically elected president to visit ally countries and make stopovers in the US. Such visits are a legitimate exercise of Taiwan's sovereignty and are consistent with international law.
Unfortunately, China has chosen to use President Tsai's Ing-wen's state visits as a pretext for military coercion against Taiwan. This aggressive behaviour not only undermines the rights and dignity of the Taiwanese people but also poses a threat to regional peace and stability.
We have taken note of French President Emmanuel Macron's latest comments concerning Taiwan. We are aware that France has been concerned about the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait.
Taiwan is a responsible member of the international community that seeks peace and stability in the region. Despite China's military coercion, Taiwan will continue to maintain a firm stance in defence of its sovereignty and democratic values. We call on all democracies and like-minded countries to join together in promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific while deterring authoritarian expansionism and aggression. Together, we can defend the principles of the rules-based international order and ensure a peaceful and prosperous future for all nations in the region.
