Quad countries discuss 'peace and security' in Taiwan Strait
ROC Central News Agency
08/13/2021 11:43 AM
Washington, Aug. 12 (CNA) Senior officials from the United States, Japan, India and Australia discussed the importance of maintaining peace and security in the Taiwan Strait during a virtual meeting on Thursday, according to the U.S. State Department.
The talks, which were held as part of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad, followed up on issues discussed during a meeting in March between the four countries' leaders.
In a press release, the State Department said the officials had examined ways to advance cooperation on strategic challenges in the region and on the countering of disinformation.
They also focused on promoting democracy and human rights, strengthening international institutions such as the United Nations, and "supporting countries vulnerable to coercive actions in the Indo-Pacific region," it said.
"The senior officials discussed the importance of peace and security in the Taiwan Strait," as well as the ongoing crisis in Burma, the department said.
The Quad framework was launched in 2007 by then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, but lapsed with the withdrawal of Australia the following year.
After being revived in 2017, the dialogue has served as a strategic alliance of democratic countries in Asia, while also being seen as an effort to counter China's growing economic and military influence in the region.
According to the State Department, the countries plan to continue discussions about holding a second Quad leaders summit this fall.
(By Stacy Hsu and Matthew Mazzetta)
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