U.S., Japan, South Korea thanked for stance on cross-Strait stability

Taipei, April 4 (CNA) Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) has expressed gratitude to his counterparts in the United States, Japan, and South Korea for voicing concerns over the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) "provocative" live-fire exercises around Taiwan.

In a news release Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said a joint statement by the three nations in Brussels on Thursday underscored that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is an international consensus and a matter of global interest.

"It is clear that China is a 'troublemaker' in the international community, seeking to alter the status quo," MOFA said.

As a responsible member of the global community, Taiwan will continue working with like-minded democratic partners such as the U.S., Japan, and South Korea to safeguard cross-Strait peace, stability, and prosperity, MOFA said.

The statement was issued in response to a declaration made by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi, and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul following their meeting in Brussels on Thursday.

A section of their joint statement addressed China's threats to Taiwan, including the military exercises launched on Tuesday.

In it, they described peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as "an indispensable element of security and prosperity for the international community" and condemned Beijing's recent military drills as "provocative actions."

At the same time, their statement adhered to Washington's established position on Taiwan, opposing "any unilateral attempts to change the status quo" while expressing support for Taiwan's "meaningful participation in appropriate international organizations."