U.K. And New Zealand Stress Importance Of Peace And Stability Across The Taiwan Strait

London, On July 1, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern issued a joint statement after their talks in London, emphasizing their concern for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, encouraging cross-strait dialogue to resolve disputes, and supporting the right to free navigation and overflight in the South China Sea and beyond.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern meets with British PM Boris Johnson at 10 Downing St in London, UK.

The statement also pledged that both sides will work together to “support an international system based on the rule of law, free from unlawful and unilateral aggression and economic coercion, in which human rights are respected and freedom and sovereignty of all countries are protected, regardless of their size.”

They pledged to redouble their efforts to “support an international system based on the rule of law, free from unlawful and unilateral aggression and economic coercion, in which human rights are respected and freedom and sovereignty of all countries are protected, regardless of their size.”

They also reiterated their “grave concerns” over the human rights violations in Xinjiang and the erosion of rights and freedoms in Hong Kong by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) since the handover of Hong Kong to the Communist China in 1997.

Speaking later at the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London — also known as Chatham House, a policy think tank, Alden said Russia’s aggression against Ukraine underscored the need to reform the UN structure. In the face of major war events, the UN must be able to respond quickly to solve problems.