Tokyo (AFP), May 24 – Leaders of Japan, India, Australia and the United States warned Tuesday against attempts to “change the status quo by force” as concerns grow about whether China could invade self-ruled Taiwan. The Quad’s other members have been less coy about their view that a strong response to Russia’s war is needed, one that would deter other countries, including China. The group’s statement made no mention of Russia, or China, but inveighed against a range of activities that Beijing has regularly been accused of in the region. Beijing confirmed the flights, saying they were in line with the Chinese and Russian “annual military cooperation plan”. The Quad nations are attempting to build their loose grouping into a more substantive counterweight to China’s rising military and economic power, despite their differences.

Source: Daily Nation May 24, 2022 09:34 UTC