2025/02/17
The MND released a press statement "in response to the joint combat readiness alert patrols carried out recently by the PRC."
MND Press Release
Published at 14:30 on February 17, 2025
Regarding the joint combat readiness alert patrols carried out by the Chinese military recently on the ground of some American and Canadian vessels passing through the Taiwan Strait, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) stated today (Feb. 17) that Taiwan Strait is absolutely not within the sovereign rights of China. The allied countries navigating freely in the Taiwan Strait is a highlight of its legal status by concrete actions. Meanwhile, the Chinese military intimidates Taiwan and neighboring countries through various military actions. Its mentality of exhausting all resources for military powers proves that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is currently the sole and the largest threat to peace and stability of Taiwan Strait.
The MND pointed out that it is a widely recognized objective fact that the Republic of China (R.O.C.) is a sovereign independent country. The PRC maliciously distorts our country's legal status, unilaterally issues related "regulations," and attempts to create a false impression that "Taiwan Strait issue is an interior affair." This is not only against international law and the reality of cross-strait relations but also seriously affects regional peace and stability as well as navigation safety.
The MND further indicated that the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait not only pertains to Taiwan but is also a common issue for liberal democratic countries around the world. Any action taken by the Chinese military that deliberately create cross-strait tensions will pose a real threat to global security, disrupt peace and stability, and serve as evidence for the "China threat theory" and its notoriety of a "troublemaker."
The MND emphasized that the R.O.C. Armed Forces will continue to diligently strengthen its defense capabilities, enhance asymmetric deterrence power, closely monitor the surrounding seas and airspace of the Taiwan Strait through joint intelligence surveillance and detection methods, and deploy appropriate forces to respond and manage any situations. They are capable, determined and confident in safeguarding national defense and security.