§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they, and the European Union, will ask the Chinese authorities not to conduct missile tests or any other military operations near the coast of Taiwan contrary to Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter; and whether, if such manoeuvres continue, they will consult with the United Nations Secretary-General about additional measures of preventive diplomacy.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyThe European Union partners issued the following statement in Rome on 8th March:
"The EU deeply regrets the firing by the People's Republic of China of missiles, beginning in the morning of March 8th, into test zones in the Taiwan Straits. The planned week-long exercises could lead to further tension in the region and increase the possibility of any miscalculation eventually leading to confrontation.
The EU, recalling the pledge always made by the PRC to stick to its fundamental policy on the Taiwan issue, which is to seek a peaceful solution, calls on the PRC to refrain from activities which could have negative effects on the security of the entire region and urge early resumption of the cross Straits talks."
We continue to monitor this difficult situation very closely. We do not hesitate to raise critical situations in the UN or in other international bodies, where we believe this will be effective.