For the first time, Japan and the European Union have jointly mentioned Taiwan in a Thursday (May 27) statement, Bloomberg reported Japanese news outlet Yomiuri as saying, which cited unidentified Japanese government sources.

Cross-strait ties on a nosedive

The move might indicate growing concern by these countries about China's assertiveness in the region and towards Taiwan, which Beijing claims as part of its territory.

The statement said both sides "underscore the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and encourage the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues".

It was issued after a virtual conference, which was attended by Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, European Council President Charles Michel, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Beijing has recently dropped the word "peaceful" in describing its desire for "reunification" with Taiwan, departing from past standard practices in the last four decades when addressing the Taiwan issue in parliament, Reuters reported.

Beijing has also ratcheted up its incursions into  Taiwan's air defence zone using its warplanes.

Beijing considers unification with Taiwan a non-negotiable issue and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve this.

Issue of other territorial disputes

In addition, the leaders said in the statement that they remained "seriously concerned about the situation in the East and South China Seas", where China is ramping up its military exercises. China also faces territorial disputes with several Southeast Asian nations in the waters.

Furthermore, Suga raised the issue of China's flouting of international law in waters around the Japan-administered Senkaku Islands, or Diaoyu Islands, Nikkei Asia reported.

Meanwhile, EU leaders said they will be united when it comes to voicing against activities that threaten a free and open international order.

The statement comes after a similar joint statement released after Suga met U.S. President Joe Biden in April, which included a mention of Taiwan for the first time in 50 years.

The move had sparked ire from Beijing.

Europe's relations with China breaking down?

China's relations with the EU have taken a hit as well, as the latter steps up its condemnation of alleged human rights abuse in China, which has also affected economic dealings between the two.

The European Parliament passed a resolution on May 20 to halt ratification of an investment deal between the bloc and China. The vote was passed with an overwhelming number of votes that were in favour.

Previously, China retaliated with its own sanctions after the EU imposed sanctions on Chinese government officials over Beijing's crackdown on its Muslim ethnic minority groups.

In response to criticisms against its Xinjiang policy, Foreign Minister Wang Yi retorted that "our European friends know what is genocide", Politico reported.

China has maintained that the reeducation or vocational training centres are to fight extremism in the country, with a Xinjiang government spokesperson claiming on Tuesday (May 25) that the facilities help radicalised Muslims "change back from ghosts to human beings".

Nevertheless, Wang said China views Europe as "a partner", and not "a rival".

Top image via Japan's Cabinet Public Relations Office