A Taiwanese foreign ministry spokesperson has called on Japan to continue deepening its cooperation with Taiwan in order to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Joanne Ou was speaking to reporters on Thursday, the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties between Japan and China. It is also the 50th anniversary of the severing of relations between Japan and Taiwan.

Ou stressed that Taiwan and Japan share basic values such as freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

As for Japan-China relations, she said Taiwan believes that the Japanese government will make an appropriate policy decision in its own interests.

She also said Taiwan hopes that if Japan works to improve ties with China, it will at the same time help bring peace, stability, prosperity and development to the region.