The Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded Nov. 13 to the announcement by the United States, Japan and Korea stressing the importance of Taiwan Strait security as an indispensable factor of global safety and prosperity.

The statement was released Nov. 12 following a meeting that same day between the three countries. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Korean Defense Minister Shin Wonsik met in Seoul, South Korea, while Japan’s Minister of Defense Minoru Kihara joined the discussion virtually, according to the U.S. Department of Defense’s press release.

During the meeting, the defense officials exchanged views on regional security issues, including the nuclear and missile threats posed by North Korea. The trio emphasized the importance of a rules-based international order and strongly opposed any unilateral change of the status quo by force or coercion, the MOFA said.

As cross-strait stability is key to safety and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, the ministry said actions that facilitate peace in the region are sincerely welcomed, and added that Taiwan will continue to collaborate with like-minded partners to safeguard democracy, freedom and peace. (POC-E)

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(ref. Taiwan Today https://www.taiwantoday.tw)