The Foreign Ministry has condemned a statement jointly made by China and East Timor that denies the sovereignty of Taiwan in a press release on Monday.
East Timor’s Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao met with the Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou and announced a comprehensive strategic partnership to forge closer ties on Saturday. China and East Timor issued a joint statement affirming that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory and expressing opposition to any forms of Taiwan independence.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jeff Liu (劉永健) says that Taiwan is devoted to cooperating with like-minded countries and opposes any attempt to change the status quo by force or threats. Liu added that Taiwan follows the rule-based international order and insists on building a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
The Foreign Ministry calls on the East Timor government to stay alert for the authoritarianism and expansionism of the Chinese government and suggests further cooperation with Taiwan and other democratic countries to make contributions to regional peace and prosperity.