G7 foreign ministers warned that China’s activities in waters east of Taiwan threatened regional stability and shipping safety. Their Paris declaration opposed changes to the status quo through force, coercion or threats. The ministers called for peaceful cross-Strait dialogue and backed Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organisations while reaffirming freedom of navigation.
G7 foreign ministers, representing seven industrial democracies, warned over China’s activities in waters east of Taiwan in a declaration following its Paris foreign ministers’ meeting.[1], [2]
The ministers argued that increasingly assertive China’s activities threatened regional stability, freedom of navigation and international shipping safety. The declaration was published on Wednesday after discussions on Monday and Tuesday.[1]
The ministers opposed unilateral changes to the status quo through force, coercion or threats and called for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. They encouraged constructive dialogue to resolve issues between the two sides peacefully and supported meaningful Taiwanese participation in international organisations. Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States took part alongside the European Union’s High Representative.[1]
The declaration’s Indo-Pacific provisions reaffirmed sovereignty, territorial integrity, the rule of law and peaceful settlement of disputes. Ministers repeated their commitment to freedom of navigation and overflight and called on states to meet obligations reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. They also expressed concern about tensions in the East and South China seas and opposed unilateral steps that increased them.[1]
