MOFA response to false and threatening statements on Taiwan’s sovereignty made by Chinese Defense Minister Dong during meeting with US Secretary of War Hegseth

October 31, 2025

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) solemnly reiterates that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent country; that neither the ROC (Taiwan) nor the People's Republic of China is subordinate to the other; and that the future of Taiwan can only be decided by the people of Taiwan. These are objective facts and the general consensus of the international community.

China continues to exert pressure on other nations, attempting to coerce them into aligning with or accepting its position. This underscores China's arrogance and hegemonic mentality. MOFA calls on the world to work with democratic Taiwan to safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the region and to oppose China's efforts to unilaterally change the status quo.

MOFA refutes in the strongest possible terms the fallacious and threatening statements made by Chinese Minister of Defense Dong Jun during his meeting with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus in Malaysia on October 31, including his remarks that the United States should be cautious in its words and actions regarding Taiwan and that it should "take a clear stance against Taiwan independence."