G7 Leaders Support Peace in Taiwan Strait and Taiwan’s Global Participation
On September 27, leaders of the G7 nations emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. They expressed support for Taiwan’s involvement in international organizations, according to a joint statement issued during a summit in Italy.
Key Points from the G7 Statement
The G7 leaders, including representatives from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the US, and the EU, reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait. They supported Taiwan’s participation in global organizations like the World Health Assembly and WHO technical meetings.
The statement also highlighted that there is no change in the G7’s basic positions on Taiwan, including their adherence to the one China policy. The leaders called for a peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues.
Concerns Over East and South China Seas
The G7 leaders expressed concerns about developments in the East and South China Seas. They opposed unilateral changes to the status quo and rejected China’s militarization and intimidation in the South China Sea. The statement emphasized the importance of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as a legal framework for international maritime activities.
Response from Taiwan
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) thanked the G7 for their support. MOFA appreciated the G7’s commitment to cross-strait peace and stability and their backing of Taiwan’s international participation. Taiwan pledged to work with G7 members and other like-minded countries to uphold democracy, freedom, the rule of law, and human rights.
UN General Assembly and Taiwan
Since the UN General Assembly began, multiple diplomatic allies have advocated for Taiwan’s inclusion in the UN system. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) consists of 15 member states, including five permanent members with veto power and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.
Doubts Revealed
G7 -: The G7, or Group of Seven, is a group of seven wealthy and powerful countries: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. They meet to discuss and solve global issues.
Taiwan Strait -: The Taiwan Strait is a body of water that separates Taiwan from mainland China. It’s important for trade and has been a point of tension between Taiwan and China.
one China policy -: The one China policy is the idea that there is only one country called China, even though there are two governments: the People’s Republic of China (mainland China) and the Republic of China (Taiwan). Most countries, including India, officially recognize only the People’s Republic of China.
cross-strait issues -: Cross-strait issues refer to the political and military tensions between Taiwan and mainland China. These issues are about how the two sides interact and whether Taiwan should be independent or part of China.
East and South China Seas -: The East and South China Seas are large areas of ocean near China. Many countries, including China, claim parts of these seas, leading to disputes and tensions.
militarization -: Militarization means building up military forces and weapons in a particular area. In this context, it refers to China increasing its military presence in the East and South China Seas.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs -: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a government department in Taiwan that handles the country’s relationships with other countries. They work on diplomacy and international cooperation.