US, Japan, South Korea Issue First Trilateral Warning on Taiwan Strait Destabilization

New York – The foreign ministers of the United States, Japan, and South Korea recently convened in New York, issuing their first trilateral warning regarding "destabilizing activities" around the Taiwan Strait. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with his Japanese and South Korean counterparts, Iwaya Takeshi and Cho Hyun respectively, to address escalating regional security concerns. The joint statement underscored a unified stance on maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

During the meeting, the trio also expressed strong opposition to "unlawful maritime claims" in the South China Sea, a region where Beijing asserts sovereignty over nearly the entire area. This claim overlaps with the exclusive economic zones of five other nations, leading to persistent disputes. The statement, while not directly naming China, highlighted attempts to enforce such claims and their potential to destabilize the vital waterway.

Tensions in the Taiwan Strait have been a growing concern, with both sides conducting significant military exercises in 2025. Taiwan initiated its 10-day Han Kuang drills in July, designed to counter Chinese invasion threats and "gray zone tactics," including harassment by China Coast Guard vessels. Concurrently, China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) conducted its "Strait Thunder–2025A" exercise in April, involving land, sea, air, and rocket forces around Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory.

The trilateral gathering signals continued U.S. alliance-building efforts in Asia amidst rising geopolitical challenges. Beyond the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea, the ministers also reaffirmed their collective commitment to ending North Korea's nuclear program. China's foreign ministry, in response, strongly deplored and opposed the remarks, urging the nations to "cease any form of connivance with separatist activities of Taiwan independence."

Taiwan's foreign ministry welcomed the expression of concern, stating it would cooperate with the U.S., Japan, South Korea, and other like-minded partners to ensure peace and stability. Analysts view the joint warning as a significant diplomatic move, emphasizing a united front against actions perceived as threatening regional security and the rules-based international order.