In response to the PLA’s recent “joint combat readiness patrols” on the pretext that ships from the United States, Canada and other countries are passing through the Taiwan Strait, the Ministry of National Defense stated today (17) that the Taiwan Strait is by no means within the scope of China’s sovereignty. The free navigation of friendly allies in the Taiwan Strait is a concrete action that highlights the legal status of the Taiwan Strait. The PLA’s use of various military operations to intimidate Taiwan and neighboring countries and its warmongering mentality are sufficient to prove that the CCP is the only and biggest threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
The Ministry of National Defense pointed out that the Republic of China is a sovereign and independent country, which is a recognized objective fact. The Chinese Communist Party maliciously distorts our legal positioning and unilaterally promulgates relevant “laws” in an attempt to create the illusion of “internalizing the Taiwan Strait issue.” This not only violates international law and cross-strait realities, but also seriously affects regional peace, stability and navigation safety.
The Ministry of National Defense further pointed out that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait not only involves Taiwan, but is also an issue of common concern to free and democratic countries around the world. Any attempt by the PLA to deliberately create tension in the Taiwan Strait will pose a real threat to global security, undermine peace and stability, and solidify the PLA’s reputation as a “China threat theory” and a “troublemaker.”
The Ministry of National Defense emphasized that the national army will continue to work hard to build up the army and prepare for war, and enhance asymmetric deterrence capabilities; use joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance methods to closely monitor the dynamics of the sea and airspace around the Taiwan Strait, and dispatch appropriate troops to respond, and have the ability, determination and confidence to ensure national defense security.