It is the first time since 1969 that the top leaders of the two countries mentioned Taiwan in a joint statement, a move that is set to infuriate Beijing. “We underscore the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and encourage the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues,” the statement said.
At a joint press conference at the White House on Friday, Suga said the two sides discussed “circumstances in Taiwan and the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region”, but declined to provide details “since it pertains to diplomatic exchanges”. The two sides also discussed “the free and open Indo-Pacific”, he said.
