MOFA welcomes joint statement by Australian and Philippine defense ministers reaffirming importance of Taiwan Strait peace

August 7, 2026  No. 372  Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung affirms and welcomes the joint statement issued following the 3rd Australia-Philippines Defense Ministers’ Meeting on August 7. The statement reaffirmed the importance of cross-strait peace and stability, opposed any unilateral action to change the status quo, and encouraged dialogue rather than coercion or the use of force.The meeting was held in Darwin, Australia, and was attended by Australian Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr.The joint statement once again demonstrates that maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, the South China Sea, and the Indo-Pacific region has become an international consensus.Taiwan, Australia, and the Philippines are like-minded partners that share the common values of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. Taiwan will continue to work with like-minded countries to safeguard the rules-based international order and jointly promote democracy, peace, and prosperity in the region. (E)