New York: Top diplomats from the United States, South Korea, and Japan have expressed deep concern over growing instability in the Taiwan Strait, warning that any attempts to change the status quo could have serious implications for regional and global security. The joint declaration was made following a trilateral foreign ministers’ meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The statement, issued by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi, and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, highlighted the “destabilizing activities” witnessed in the Taiwan Strait. While China was not mentioned by name, the context of the remarks clearly pointed to Beijing’s increasing military maneuvers and maritime claims in contested waters.
Alongside the Taiwan issue, the three countries also voiced alarm over what they called “unlawful maritime claims” and the enforcement of such claims in the South China Sea. The ministers stressed that freedom of navigation and adherence to international law were non-negotiable principles in safeguarding the stability of the Indo-Pacific region.
The meeting also reaffirmed the countries’ joint commitment to the denuclearization of North Korea, which continues to advance its missile and nuclear programs despite international sanctions. The three allies underscored their intention to coordinate closely on both deterrence and diplomacy, ensuring that Pyongyang faces unified pressure to return to dialogue.
The trilateral declaration comes at a time of heightened geopolitical competition, with Beijing expanding its presence in regional waters and Washington deepening strategic coordination with Seoul and Tokyo. The renewed show of unity among the three nations underscores how Taiwan and the South China Sea have become focal points in the broader contest for influence in Asia.