UK-Australia Joint Statement Expresses Concern over Taiwan Strait Situation and Chinese Military Drills
The foreign and defense chiefs of the UK and Australia held their annual ministerial 2+2 talks (AUKMIN) in London on June 10, 2025, issuing a joint statement. The statement reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, expressed concern over China's destabilizing military exercises near Taiwan, opposed any unilateral changes to the status quo, and supported Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations. The statement also addressed situations in the South China Sea, East China Sea, and Yellow Sea, expressed concern over human rights in China, transnational repression, Hong Kong's autonomy, and China's economic support for Russia.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 11, 2026 at 09:44
- 🔍 Collected: June 11, 2026 at 09:54 (10 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 11, 2026 at 10:13 (18 min after Collected)
(Central News Agency correspondent Chen Yunyu, London, 11th) The foreign and defense chiefs of the United Kingdom and Australia held talks in London on the 10th, issuing a joint statement afterward. The statement reaffirmed that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are of paramount importance, expressed concern over China's destabilizing military exercises around Taiwan, and opposed any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.
The statement encouraged resolving differences through dialogue rather than resorting to coercion or force. It also affirmed that the international community benefits from Taiwan's expertise and technology, and therefore the UK and Australia will continue to support Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations that do not require statehood, or participation as an observer or guest.
The statement reaffirmed the commitment of the UK and Australia to deepen relations with Taiwan in the fields of economy, trade, science, technology, and culture.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Defense Secretary John Healey held the annual UK-Australia Ministerial 2+2 Talks (AUKMIN) in London on the 10th with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defense Minister Richard Marles. The joint statement touched on the situations in the Middle East, Ukraine, and the Indo-Pacific region, as well as security and defense cooperation, hybrid threats, and economic resilience.
In parts directly related to the Indo-Pacific region, the statement mentioned that the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions are interconnected and are both vital to the security, resilience, and prosperity of the UK and Australia. It stated that continued UK and Australian engagement in the Indo-Pacific region is crucial to shaping a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region and a favorable strategic balance.
The UK and Australia reaffirmed their commitment to upholding internationally agreed rules and norms and respecting the sovereignty of all nations. Considering the current geostrategic environment, the statement emphasized the need for nations to manage strategic competition responsibly and reduce the risk of miscalculation, escalation, and conflict through dialogue and concrete measures.
The statement also strongly opposed activities in the South China Sea that could exacerbate tensions and increase the risk of miscalculation and escalation. The UK and Australia will continue to cooperate to uphold navigational rights and freedoms in the region. The statement also expressed concern over the situation in the East China Sea and the Yellow Sea.
The UK and Australia expressed serious concern over human rights violations in China, mentioning the persecution and arbitrary detention of Uyghurs and Tibetans, and the erosion of rights and freedoms related to religion, culture, education, and language use.
The UK and Australia expressed concern over rising transnational repression activities, noting that such repression undermines the national security, sovereignty, human rights, and safety of people in various countries, including actions by Hong Kong and Beijing authorities against exiled democracy activists in countries like the UK and Australia.
The statement also expressed deep concern over the continued systematic erosion of Hong Kong's autonomy, democratic processes, and individual rights and freedoms, including the authorities' enforcement of the national security law and the persecution of British national Jimmy Lai and Australian citizen Ng Cheng Heng.
Regarding North Korea, the UK-Australia joint statement strongly condemned the Pyongyang authorities' nuclear and ballistic missile programs and called for the complete and irreversible denuclearization of North Korea. The statement also expressed deep concern over North Korea's malicious cyber activities.
In paragraphs related to the Indo-Pacific region, the statement mentioned that the UK and Australia will cooperate more closely in the region to combat transnational criminal activities such as cyber fraud.
Regarding coordinated responses to hybrid threats, the statement noted that hostile activities by state actors, their proxies, and non-state actors are increasing in both scale and severity, including activities conducted online by so-called information security companies based in China.
The statement also expressed deep concern, in the part related to the war in Ukraine, that the actions of third countries are enabling Russia's ability to continue its illegal war.
The statement pointed out that Russia's illegal war against Ukraine and the role of third countries in it can affect security in the Indo-Pacific region.
The UK and Australia expressed concern over China's economic support for Russia and called on the Chinese government to take measures to prevent its companies from supplying dual-use components to the Russian military-industrial complex.
The UK and Australia also urged China to use its "significant influence" over the Moscow authorities to bring the war to an end.
On the other hand, the statement mentioned that military cooperation between the Moscow authorities and North Korea is deepening, which has serious implications for security in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions.
It noted that North Korea's acquisition of lessons and experience from its actual participation in the Russia-Ukraine war, and its subsequent ability to apply them practically, will inevitably further impact security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
In the economic and trade field, the statement welcomed the initiation of Uruguay's accession process for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
The UK and Australia reaffirmed their support for the continued deepening and expansion of the CPTPP and supported the launch of accession negotiations with Indonesia, the Philippines, and the United Arab Emirates within this year.
The UK and Australia also expressed their expectation that the CPTPP will commence trade and investment dialogues with the European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) later this year. (Editor: Chou Yung-chieh) 1150611
The statement encouraged resolving differences through dialogue rather than resorting to coercion or force. It also affirmed that the international community benefits from Taiwan's expertise and technology, and therefore the UK and Australia will continue to support Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations that do not require statehood, or participation as an observer or guest.
The statement reaffirmed the commitment of the UK and Australia to deepen relations with Taiwan in the fields of economy, trade, science, technology, and culture.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Defense Secretary John Healey held the annual UK-Australia Ministerial 2+2 Talks (AUKMIN) in London on the 10th with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defense Minister Richard Marles. The joint statement touched on the situations in the Middle East, Ukraine, and the Indo-Pacific region, as well as security and defense cooperation, hybrid threats, and economic resilience.
In parts directly related to the Indo-Pacific region, the statement mentioned that the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions are interconnected and are both vital to the security, resilience, and prosperity of the UK and Australia. It stated that continued UK and Australian engagement in the Indo-Pacific region is crucial to shaping a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region and a favorable strategic balance.
The UK and Australia reaffirmed their commitment to upholding internationally agreed rules and norms and respecting the sovereignty of all nations. Considering the current geostrategic environment, the statement emphasized the need for nations to manage strategic competition responsibly and reduce the risk of miscalculation, escalation, and conflict through dialogue and concrete measures.
The statement also strongly opposed activities in the South China Sea that could exacerbate tensions and increase the risk of miscalculation and escalation. The UK and Australia will continue to cooperate to uphold navigational rights and freedoms in the region. The statement also expressed concern over the situation in the East China Sea and the Yellow Sea.
The UK and Australia expressed serious concern over human rights violations in China, mentioning the persecution and arbitrary detention of Uyghurs and Tibetans, and the erosion of rights and freedoms related to religion, culture, education, and language use.
The UK and Australia expressed concern over rising transnational repression activities, noting that such repression undermines the national security, sovereignty, human rights, and safety of people in various countries, including actions by Hong Kong and Beijing authorities against exiled democracy activists in countries like the UK and Australia.
The statement also expressed deep concern over the continued systematic erosion of Hong Kong's autonomy, democratic processes, and individual rights and freedoms, including the authorities' enforcement of the national security law and the persecution of British national Jimmy Lai and Australian citizen Ng Cheng Heng.
Regarding North Korea, the UK-Australia joint statement strongly condemned the Pyongyang authorities' nuclear and ballistic missile programs and called for the complete and irreversible denuclearization of North Korea. The statement also expressed deep concern over North Korea's malicious cyber activities.
In paragraphs related to the Indo-Pacific region, the statement mentioned that the UK and Australia will cooperate more closely in the region to combat transnational criminal activities such as cyber fraud.
Regarding coordinated responses to hybrid threats, the statement noted that hostile activities by state actors, their proxies, and non-state actors are increasing in both scale and severity, including activities conducted online by so-called information security companies based in China.
The statement also expressed deep concern, in the part related to the war in Ukraine, that the actions of third countries are enabling Russia's ability to continue its illegal war.
The statement pointed out that Russia's illegal war against Ukraine and the role of third countries in it can affect security in the Indo-Pacific region.
The UK and Australia expressed concern over China's economic support for Russia and called on the Chinese government to take measures to prevent its companies from supplying dual-use components to the Russian military-industrial complex.
The UK and Australia also urged China to use its "significant influence" over the Moscow authorities to bring the war to an end.
On the other hand, the statement mentioned that military cooperation between the Moscow authorities and North Korea is deepening, which has serious implications for security in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions.
It noted that North Korea's acquisition of lessons and experience from its actual participation in the Russia-Ukraine war, and its subsequent ability to apply them practically, will inevitably further impact security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
In the economic and trade field, the statement welcomed the initiation of Uruguay's accession process for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
The UK and Australia reaffirmed their support for the continued deepening and expansion of the CPTPP and supported the launch of accession negotiations with Indonesia, the Philippines, and the United Arab Emirates within this year.
The UK and Australia also expressed their expectation that the CPTPP will commence trade and investment dialogues with the European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) later this year. (Editor: Chou Yung-chieh) 1150611
FAQ
What is AUKMIN?
AUKMIN is the annual 2+2 meeting of the foreign and defense ministers of the UK and Australia.
What does the statement say about Taiwan's international participation?
It recognizes Taiwan's expertise and technology and supports its participation in international organizations that do not require statehood.
How does the statement address China's support for Russia?
It calls on China to take measures to prevent its companies from supplying components to Russia's military industry and to use its influence to end the war.