《TAIPEI TIMES》 G7 defense chiefs criticize China drills

TROUBLED WATERS: The ministers also said they opposed China’s obstruction of freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and the militarization of disputed features

By Lin Che-yuan and Lee I-chia / Staff reporters

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G7 defense ministers in a joint statement on Saturday singled out China over a number of concerns, including its “provocative actions” near Taiwan.

The defense ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US gathered in Naples, Italy, from Friday to yesterday for the group’s first ministerial meeting dedicated to defense.

In the joint declaration, they stressed “enduring unity and common determination to address, in a cohesive and concrete manner, security challenges, at a time in history marked by great instability.”

In addition to voicing support for Ukraine, expressing concern about the escalating conflict in the Middle East and condemning North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, the ministers affirmed their “commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, based on the rule of law and upholding the principle of the peaceful resolution of disputes without resorting to the threat or use of force.”

“We reaffirm that maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is indispensable to international security and prosperity,” it said. “We are concerned about provocative actions, particularly the recent [Chinese] People’s Liberation Army military drills around Taiwan.”

“We call for a peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues,” it added.

The declaration also expressed concern about the situation in the South China Sea.

“There is no legal basis for China’s expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea, and we are strongly opposed to China’s repeated obstruction of freedom of navigation, militarization of disputed features, and coercive and intimidating activities, as well as the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels in the South China Sea,” it said.

They also expressed their “deep concern at China’s increasing support to Russia’s war economy” and the “destabilizing actions resulting from the strengthening military cooperation between China and Russia.”

In Taipei, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs thanked the G7 defense ministers for their firm support in maintaining the peaceful “status quo” in the Taiwan Strait.

As a responsible member of the Indo-Pacific region, Taiwan would continue to strengthen cooperation with G7 nations and take concrete actions to defend the universal values of democracy, freedom and human rights, it said.

Separately, the Australian Taiwanese Friendship Association （ATFA） on Saturday expressed gratitude to the Australian Senate, which on Aug. 21 unanimously passed a motion stating that UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 does not establish the People’s Republic of China’s sovereignty over Taiwan and does not determine the future status of Taiwan in the UN.

New ATFA president Kathy Sieh （謝明君） made the remark at the 27th inauguration ceremony of the association in Sydney.

Taiwanese in Australia urged the Australian government to take a leadership role in advocating for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, she said, adding that the presidents of other Taiwanese friendship associations in Australia and Taiwan-related civic groups also gathered at the ceremony to show their support for Taiwan’s participation in the UN.

新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES