MOFA response to affirmation of importance of cross-strait peace and stability in joint statement by Philippines and New Zealand

Philippines President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held bilateral talks in Manila on April 18. Following the meeting, they issued a joint statement affirming the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) greatly welcomes this statement and appreciates that high-level officials of the Philippines and New Zealand continue to publicly express their firm position on maintaining cross-strait peace and stability.

China’s military intimidation and gray-zone coercion constitute a formidable challenge to regional security and have elicited significant international concern. The government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) is pleased to see the international community’s continued attention to cross-strait peace and security and welcomes steps taken by other countries to further ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Taiwan will continue to cooperate with the Philippines, New Zealand, and other like-minded nations to jointly defend the rules-based international order and promote regional peace, stability, and prosperity.