MOFA response to Canada and ROK foreign and defense ministers reaffirming importance of cross-strait peace and stability

November 2, 2024

Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly and Minister of National Defence Bill Blair hosted Republic of Korea Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul and Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun for the inaugural Canada-ROK Foreign and Defence (2+2) Ministerial Meeting in Ottawa on November 1. Following the meeting, the two countries issued a joint statement affirming their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific based on the rule of law and the peaceful resolution of disputes. They stressed their continued advocation of peace and stability throughout the Indo-Pacific and opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the region. The two sides also reaffirmed that maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait was indispensable to international security and prosperity.

This inaugural 2+2 ministerial was a concrete achievement of the action plan announced on July 25 for implementing the Canada-Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes and affirms Canada and the ROK underscoring the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and expressing their opposition to any unilateral change to the regional status quo at their first 2+2 ministerial. In the face of stronger collaboration between authoritarian countries and their attempts to undermine peace, stability, and the international order, Taiwan will work steadfastly with such like-minded nations as Canada and the ROK to jointly preserve peace, stability, and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and in the region.