Taiwan Rejects China-Vietnam Joint Statement: Sovereignty Underlined

MOFA Responds to Claims of Taiwan's Inclusion Within China in a Recent Joint Statement.

Taipei, April 16 - Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has issued a strong condemnation of a joint statement released by China and Vietnam, which included assertions that Taiwan is a part of China.

In a statement, MOFA declared its "strong condemnation" of the two governments' claim that "Taiwan is an inseparable part of Chinese territory," labeling the statement as a "serious departure from facts."

The statement emphasized that the Republic of China (Taiwan's official name) is a sovereign and independent nation and is not subordinate to the People's Republic of China (PRC).

MOFA highlighted that the PRC has never governed Taiwan, and further criticized Beijing for its continuous dissemination of rhetoric aimed at undermining Taiwan's sovereignty within international forums.

The MOFA's response followed the release of a joint statement on Tuesday, outlining the strengthening of the strategic cooperative partnership between Vietnam and China. The statement was issued after China's leader Xi Jinping (習近平) concluded his visit to Hanoi, which took place from Monday to Tuesday.

In the joint statement, Vietnam also expressed its support for "the cause of China's unification, [and] resolutely opposes any separatist activity seeking 'Taiwan independence.'"