US, Japan, South Korea Voice Concern Over Taiwan and South China Sea Tensions

The United States, South Korea, and Japan have raised concern over escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea. In a joint statement issued after their meeting in New York, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, and Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi condemned increasingly frequent destabilizing activities around Taiwan.

The ministers also strongly opposed what they described as “unlawful maritime claims” and attempts to enforce them in the South China Sea. While the statement did not directly name China, it comes amid ongoing disputes between Beijing and Washington’s allies in the region. China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, overlapping with the exclusive economic zones of countries including Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry welcomed the expression of concern. Spokesperson Hsiao Kuang-wei said Taiwan will work with the U.S., Japan, South Korea, and other democratic partners to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the broader Indo-Pacific.

China, which views Taiwan as part of its territory, has ramped up military activities near the island, including staging war games. Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s territorial claims and continues to push for international cooperation to deter aggression.

The three allies also reaffirmed their commitment to ending North Korea’s nuclear program, emphasizing trilateral coordination on regional security. The meeting highlights growing efforts by Washington, Seoul, and Tokyo to present a united front on key security challenges in Asia, from Taiwan’s defense to maritime disputes and North Korea’s weapons ambitions.

The joint statement underscores the strategic importance of the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea for global trade and security, signaling stronger cooperation among the U.S. and its allies to counter rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific.