MAC Press Release No. 037
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) issued the following press release in strong condemnation and protest against the targeted joint military exercises in Taiwan's surrounding airspace and waters launched by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) today (August 19, 2023) as part of its military provocation. The MAC stated that, over the past few years, the international community has been expressing unanimous opposition to the CCP's use of military intimidation, which undermines the peaceful and stable cross-Strait status quo and regional security. Such militaristic actions have only reconfirmed the CCP’s role as the true "troublemaker" that incurs growing resentment in the global community without serving any meaningful purpose.
The MAC emphasized that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign state with the legitimate right to maintain normal diplomatic ties with friendly countries. The people of Taiwan are firmly committed to self-defense and will never bow to threats or intimidation by force. The CCP's attempts to pressure Taiwan into accepting its unilaterally imposed political framework through provocations with its military aircraft and vessels will absolutely fail.
The MAC appealed to the international community to take seriously and stand together against the threats to global democracy from authoritarian regimes. The MAC also advised the Beijing authorities to cease all military threats and instead engage in cross-Strait dialogue and exchanges with pragmatism and respect to facilitate the positive development of cross-Strait relations.