torsdag 6. mai 2021

G7 warns China not to 'escalate tensions' with Taiwan amid military threats

Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) nations have called for greater engagement with Taiwan, and warned China not to escalate cross-strait tensions following a spike in military maneuvers around the self-ruled island.

In a joint statement released Wednesday, representatives from the G7, which includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, underscored "the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," and encouraged the "peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues."
"We reiterate our strong opposition to any unilateral actions that could escalate tensions and undermine regional stability and the international rules-based order and express serious concerns about reports of militarization, coercion, and intimidation in the region," the statement added.

The ministers also said their governments supported Taiwan's "meaningful participation" in World Health Organization forums and the World Health Assembly, a longstanding goal of Taipei's. Beijing has blocked Taiwan's participation in the WHO, despite the island's effective response to the coronavirus pandemic.