The G7 Defense Ministers’ meeting took place on October 19 in Naples, Italy, marking the first such gathering since the G7 was established in 1975. The joint statement issued during this meeting expressed concern over the recent military exercises conducted by the People’s Liberation Army around Taiwan. The statement addressed five major topics: support for Ukraine, Middle East issues, Africa, the Indo-Pacific, and defense readiness. Regarding Taiwan, it reiterated that maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is crucial for international security and prosperity, while also expressing concern over provocative actions, particularly the recent military drills by China.
However, the G7 countries maintained their longstanding position on the “One China” policy and called for a peaceful resolution to cross-strait issues. The declaration also expressed serious concerns about the situation in the East and South China Seas, reaffirming strong opposition to any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo through force or coercion, including in maritime and airspace domains.
In terms of the Indo-Pacific region, the G7 reaffirmed its commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, grounded in the rule of law, and supported peaceful resolutions to disputes without resorting to the use of force or threats. The statement emphasized that the Indo-Pacific is central to global growth, geopolitical developments, and military balance.
During the meeting, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Japan’s new Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada held their first bilateral talks on the sidelines. The two reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and expressed strong concerns over military activities by China and Russia near Japan. They both opposed any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo through force or intimidation. Additionally, they agreed to expedite discussions on enhancing cooperative management between Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and U.S. military operations.
According to reports from Japan’s Kyodo News, Austin asserted the unwavering U.S. commitment to extended deterrence through nuclear capabilities to defend Japan.
