Taipei: Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te proclaimed Thursday that the world is witnessing a 'new dawn' for the Middle East following the signing of the Islamabad memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran, aimed at ending their longstanding conflict. In his address to reporters in Taipei, Lai further expressed a desire for the swift conclusion of the Russia-Ukraine war, emphasizing the need to alleviate the suffering faced by the Ukrainian populace.

According to Anadolu Agency, Pakistan played a mediatory role between the US and Iran from April 8, facilitating the agreement's swift execution after US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian electronically signed it. The agreement, which took effect immediately, was heralded by Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who announced Iran's reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the US lifting its naval blockade.

Lai extended his appreciation to the G7 for their statement reaffirming opposition to any unilateral efforts to alter the status quo in the East China Sea, South China Sea, and Taiwan Strait, especially through force or coercion. He reiterated Taiwan's stance on sovereignty, emphasizing that Taiwan and China are not subordinate to one another.

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian reaffirmed China's position, declaring Taiwan as an inseparable part of China's territory, and stressed that Taiwan's future should be determined by the Chinese people, including those residing in Taiwan.