The Group of seven (G7) foreign ministers have warned that China’s increasingly assertive activities in the waters off Taiwan’s eastern coast pose a threat to regional stability, freedom of navigation and international shipping safety.In a joint declaration issued late Wednesday following a meeting in Paris, the ministers underlined the need to preserve peace and stability across the Taiwan strait and opposed any unilateral attempts to alter the existing situation through force, coercion or threats, according to news agency Reuters.China, which considers Taiwan part of its territory, has intensified its activities off the island’s eastern coast since June, conducting regular patrols by its coast guard. Taiwanese officials, however, believe Beijing is using these operations to prepare for a possible maritime blockade by deploying a combination of military, paramilitary and civilian vessels.The G7 statement said China’s increasingly assertive actions in the waters east of Taiwan threatened regional stability, freedom of navigation and the safety of international shipping.“We reaffirmed our opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo, particularly by force or coercion, or the threat thereof,” the ministers said.China’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Beijing does not recognise Taiwan’s claims of sovereignty and maintains that the self-governed island is part of its territory.Following the Chinese coast guard’s latest patrol off Taiwan’s eastern coast last month, Taipei accused Beijing of harassing commercial vessels and attempting to impose what it described as an illegitimate maritime jurisdiction.Taiwan considers the waters off its eastern coast strategically important, as they could serve as vital supply routes for assistance from international allies in the event of a military conflict or blockade.The United States, Britain, France and Germany have previously raised concerns over China’s activities in the region.Meanwhile, China’s military continues to maintain a regular presence around Taiwan. On Tuesday, Taiwanese defence minister wellington Koo said Beijing was conducting maritime area-denial exercises in the western Pacific involving an aircraft carrier and other naval formations, following a reported increase in Chinese military activity.China has never ruled out the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control, although Beijing maintains that it prefers achieving what it calls “peaceful reunification”.
