July 13, 2024
Chinese leader Xi Jinping met with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele on July 12. After the meeting, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Solomon Islands issued a joint statement, falsely claiming that Taiwan was an inseparable part of China’s territory. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly refutes this claim.
MOFA solemnly reaffirms that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a free and democratic country and that neither democratic Taiwan nor totalitarian China is subordinate to the other. These are long-standing, objective, and internationally recognized facts, as well as the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan has never been governed by the PRC; nor has it ever been part of the PRC. Only the democratically elected government of Taiwan has the right to represent the Taiwanese people in the United Nations system and the international arena. China and countries deferring to it have no say in the matter.
MOFA again urges these countries not to ignore history and to recognize China for what it is—a totalitarian and autocratic regime. MOFA calls on them to refrain from blindly abetting China’s deceitful narratives, which only distort the truth, maliciously undermine Taiwan’s sovereignty, attempt to rationalize China’s expansionist ambitions, and increase international instability.
Taiwan will continue to steadfastly safeguard the values of freedom and democracy and bolster cooperation with democratic partners to jointly deter authoritarian expansionism; staunchly ensure cross-strait peace and security; and preserve a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
