G7 foreign ministers say China's actions east of Taiwan threaten stability

G7 foreign ministers said China's increasingly assertive actions in the waters east of Taiwan threaten regional stability, freedom of navigation and the safety of international shipping, according to a joint declaration published late on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, following a meeting in Paris.

The G7 statement

The ministers reaffirmed their opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo, particularly by force or coercion, or the threat thereof. The statement said China's increasingly assertive activities in the waters east of Taiwan "threaten regional stability, freedom of navigation and the safety of international shipping."

China, which views Taiwan as its own territory, has stepped up activity off the island's east coast since June with regular coast guard patrols. Officials in Taiwan, which rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims, say they believe China is practising for a potential maritime blockade using overlapping military, paramilitary and civilian assets.

Responses

Taiwan's presidential office welcomed the G7 statement, saying peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region are core issues vital to global security and prosperity. Taiwan will continue working to strengthen its self-defence capabilities and cooperate closely with like-minded international partners including G7 member states, spokesperson Karen Kuo said in a statement.

China's foreign ministry on Thursday said the statement "disregards objective facts … crudely interferes in China's internal affairs, and maliciously slanders and smears China." Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the statement "once again proves that the G7 is an ideological clique clinging to Cold War mentality and engaging in bloc politics."

Regional context

Taiwan regards the area off its east coast as critical to wartime supply routes from allies in the event of a blockade or conflict. China's military operates around Taiwan on a daily basis. Taiwan Defence Minister Wellington Koo said China is carrying out "area denial" drills in the Western Pacific involving one of its aircraft carriers and other naval formations.

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Sources

• thehindu.com: G7 Foreign Ministers say China's actions east of Taiwan threaten stability - The Hindu
• internazionale.it: G7 foreign ministers say China’s actions east of Taiwan threaten stability - Internazionale
• aninews.in: G7 Foreign Ministers warn China’s activities East of Taiwan threaten regional stability, freedom of navigation
• straitstimes.com: G-7 warns China on Taiwan Strait stability | The Straits Times
• taipeitimes.com: G7 foreign ministers say China’s actions east of Taiwan threaten stability - Taipei Times
• m.economictimes.com: G7 foreign ministers say China's actions east of Taiwan threaten stability - The Economic Times

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.