TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Monday criticized a joint statement by Pakistan and China after Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari visited Beijing. 

After meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping (習近平), the two countries issued a joint statement Thursday claiming, “Taiwan is an inalienable part of China" and reaffirming Pakistan's support for Beijing's efforts at reunification. MOFA said it condemns the Chinese government's use of opportunities to undermine Taiwan's sovereignty during talks with leaders of other countries.

The ministry criticized Pakistan for “blindly following China's factually false statements” and cooperating in issuing statements that suppress Taiwan's sovereign status. The ministry reiterated that Taiwan is a sovereign and independent nation and that neither Taiwan nor China is subordinate to each other. 

MOFA pointed out that the regime in Beijing has never had jurisdiction over Taiwan. The ministry said that no country has the right to deny the existence of Taiwan through a joint statement. 

The ministry called on Pakistan to recognize that democratic Taiwan, which upholds the democratic system, human rights, and the rule of law, is fundamentally different from authoritarian China, which is “expanding recklessly, bullying its neighbors, and violating human rights.” It said Pakistan should stop echoing China's remarks that “disregard facts and reveal its expansionist intentions.”

Taiwan will continue to uphold the values of freedom and democracy and strengthen cooperation with like-minded countries to jointly curb authoritarian expansion and safeguard peace and security in the Taiwan Strait and Indo-Pacific region, said MOFA.