MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to statement by new Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara on deepening exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan

October 23, 2025 

During a press conference on October 22, Japan’s newly appointed Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara stated that Taiwan and Japan shared fundamental values and that bilateral economic and trade relations were close. Noting the frequent people-to-people exchanges between Taiwan and Japan, Mr. Kihara also described the two countries as being very important partners and dear friends. He added that the government of Japan, based on its existing policy position, would deepen exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung highly appreciates and welcomes these remarks.
 
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s cabinet was formally inaugurated on October 21. The public pronouncement on October 22 of a willingness to further strengthen Japan’s friendly cooperation with Taiwan demonstrates that upholding peace and security across the Taiwan Strait and advancing comprehensive partnership between the two countries remain the clear cross-party consensus in Japan, as well as the consistent stance of the Japanese administration.
 
Taiwan and Japan lie close to one another and their peoples enjoy strong and enduring ties. As members of the free and democratic community, the two nations are forces for good in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Moving forward, Taiwan will continue to promote the development of Taiwan-Japan relations and collaborate with like-minded countries to jointly safeguard peace, stability, and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and throughout the Indo-Pacific.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA thanks PIF leaders for reaffirming Taiwan’s participation status

September 13, 2025 

This year’s Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) was held in Solomon Islands from September 8 to 12. The forum communiqué issued following the meeting reiterated the decision from the 1992 communiqué regarding Taiwan’s participation in the PIF, thus reaffirming consensus among leaders of PIF member states in support of Taiwan’s unchanged participation status in the PIF. 
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) welcomes and appreciates this development. It thanks leaders of PIF member states for expressing support and consensus on Taiwan’s participation in PIF affairs as a development partner.
 
Since 1993, Taiwan has taken part in the PIF under the name Taiwan / Republic of China and continued to collaborate and engage with PIF member states as a development partner. Going forward, Taiwan will continue to uphold the spirit of diversity and inclusiveness embodied in the Pacific Way and contribute to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Pacific region in accordance with the decisions contained in the 1992 and 2025 forum communiqués.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

ROC (Taiwan) has indisputable ownership of all South China Sea Islands; China has no right to undertake inappropriate actions over Minzhu Reef, which belongs to Taiwan

September 11, 2025  
Statement No. 001  
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) solemnly issues the following statement: On September 9, the State Council of China announced the approval of a proposal to establish the so-called “Huangyan Island national nature reserve” under the pretext of “strengthening supervision and law enforcement.” China has no right to illegally and unilaterally designate a protected area on Minzhu Reef, which China calls “Huangyan Island.” The Chinese government’s unilateral action reveals its hegemonic ambitions and exposes it as a disruptor of regional peace and stability. The move could lead to disputes among countries in the region and is detrimental to a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific.
 
MOFA reiterates that the ROC (Taiwan) enjoys territorial sovereignty over the South China Sea Islands and their relevant waters in accordance with international law and the law of the sea. This fact will not be altered by China’s unilateral claims or actions. The ROC (Taiwan) is willing to further work with countries in the region, the Philippines included, to peacefully settle disputes through rational dialogue and in accordance with international law and the law of the sea, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, so as to jointly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea.
 
MOFA reiterates that Taiwan will continue to seek to engage in multilateral dialogue and dispute resolution mechanisms on an equal footing based on its four principles and five actions, and work with other countries in the region to maintain security in the South China Sea. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to remarks made by US Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Wicker and Senate Strategic Forces Subcommittee Chair Fischer after Taiwan trip

September 8, 2025 

United States Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker and Senate Strategic Forces Subcommittee Chair Deb Fischer have once again publicly recognized Taiwan’s progress in bolstering its self-defense capabilities and determination to safeguard freedom. The senators made the comments after returning to the United States following a recent visit to Taiwan, which concluded on August 30. They underlined the long-standing US commitment to Taiwan’s security and emphasized that the Taiwan-US partnership would continue to build on the foundation of shared values and common purpose.
 
The senators pointed out that Taiwan is crucial to US national security and the global economy. They encouraged the United States to continue to deepen collaboration with Taiwan and other strategic partners to jointly strengthen deterrence, counter threats from the Chinese Communist Party, and advance regional security, prosperity, and freedom.
 
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung thanks Chairman Wicker and Senator Fischer for continuing to take concrete actions that demonstrate their staunch support for Taiwan and the strengthening of Taiwan-US security cooperation. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will further bolster its self-defense capabilities to jointly ensure cross-strait, regional, and global peace, stability, and prosperity.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

November 12, 2025 
No. 464 

At a regular press conference on November 12, a spokesperson of China’s Taiwan Affairs Office stated that Taiwan could only participate in next year’s APEC activities as a regional economy under the so-called “one China principle.” China will serve as the host economy for APEC in 2026.
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) emphasizes that this statement is a serious departure from the facts concerning Taiwan’s APEC involvement, not only exposing China’s malicious intention to suppress and undermine Taiwan’s equal participation in APEC but also disrupting harmony within the organization.
 
Taiwan formally became a full member economy of APEC in 1991 under the name Chinese Taipei through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) of accession with that year’s host economy, the Republic of Korea. The text of the MOU, which did not refer to any “one China principle,” made clear that Taiwan would participate in APEC meetings and activities with other member economies on an equal basis.
 
It is also understood that in the MOU signed in relation to China’s accession to the organization, APEC only took note of China’s so-called “one China principle” and its position that there is a distinction between sovereign states and regional economies. APEC did not express agreement with or acceptance of such a stance.
 
Furthermore, all APEC member economies, including China, unanimously supported the inclusion of the following text in joint ministerial statements issued following APEC Ministerial Meetings this year and in 2024: “We attach great importance to APEC’s continued cooperation in the spirit of multilateralism, on the basis of consensus with all members participating on an equal footing in all its events, including Leaders’ Week, in accordance with the Guidelines for Hosting APEC Meetings and Relevant APEC Conventions.”
 
During last year’s APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, China’s APEC senior official sent a letter to all APEC member economies extending explicit assurances that “participants meeting APEC delegates requirements and conducting APEC cooperation and responsibilities will be facilitated smooth and safe participation in APEC meetings, including entry and exit facilitation.”
 
MOFA reiterates that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent state, that neither the ROC (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other, and that the PRC has never ruled Taiwan. These are internationally accepted, objective facts and the status quo. China has no right to comment on or interfere in the sovereign actions of other nations. Its use of the so-called “one China principle” to undermine Taiwan’s participation and status is a grave violation of the core principle of APEC member economies participating on an equal basis.
 
MOFA firmly demands that China carry out its duties as APEC host economy satisfactorily; fulfill its commitments properly in accordance with APEC guidelines, standards, and practices; and guarantee Taiwanese participants equal, dignified, and safe involvement in next year’s APEC meetings and activities. Taiwan will not accept any political maneuvers aimed at undermining or excluding its participation and will work with like-minded partners to oppose such moves. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA thanks French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Barrot for reaffirming France’s stance against unilateral attempts to change status quo across Taiwan Strait by force

Date：2025-11-07
Data Source：Department of European Affairs

November 7, 2025No. 455 While attending a regular hearing of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee on November 5, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot stated in response to a question that France strongly opposed any unilateral attempt to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait by force or coercion. He also commended close cooperation between Taiwan and France in key areas including energy, batteries, AI, and semiconductors, saying that such collaboration was in line with France’s policies on promoting reindustrialization, competitiveness, and national self-sufficiency.Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung welcomes these statements and thanks France for its firm support of maintaining the status quo across the Taiwan Strait through peaceful means and for publicly stressing at numerous domestic and international occasions the importance of cross-strait peace and stability to global security and prosperity. Taiwan and France share the universal values of democracy, freedom, and human rights. Exchanges between the two countries in such areas as economics, trade, technology, energy transition, education, and culture have borne much fruit in recent years.Moving forward, MOFA will continue to work closely with France and other like-minded European countries to jointly strengthen democratic resilience and advance peace, stability, and prosperity throughout the Indo-Pacific region and across the globe. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

New Zealand government grants Taiwan nationals access to e-gate services

Date：2025-10-13
Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

October 13, 2025 
No. 403 

Thanks to the joint efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Ministry of the Interior (MOI), Immigration New Zealand, and the New Zealand Customs Service in promoting reciprocal access to automated immigration and customs inspection and clearance services, the New Zealand government announced today that starting from October 13, Taiwan e-passport holders were eligible to use e-gates when entering and departing New Zealand.
 
According to MOI data, this makes New Zealand the eighth country to grant Taiwan nationals access to automated customs clearance services following the United States (where nationals are required to pay an application fee for the service), the Republic of Korea, Australia, Italy, Germany, Singapore, and Malaysia.
 
As New Zealand has already granted Taiwan nationals access to its online New Zealand Traveller Declaration (www.travellerdeclaration.govt.nz), travelers only need to complete a declaration up to 24 hours before boarding their flight to be able to use e-gate services upon arrival in New Zealand. This provides them with a more efficient and seamless clearance process.
 
In accordance with the principles of parity and reciprocity, Taiwan is now working toward granting New Zealand e-passport holders access to Taiwan’s e-gate services. This arrangement is expected to be implemented by late November or December 2025.
 
Taiwan and New Zealand are like-minded partners that share the values of democracy, freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. With around 60,000 journeys being made between the two countries annually, reciprocal e-gate access will make travel even more convenient and facilitate closer cooperation and exchanges across various fields.
 
Moving forward, the MOI will continue to promote the reciprocal use of e-gates with other countries. This will allow Taiwan nationals to travel overseas in greater convenience and dignity while also attracting even more international tourists to Taiwan. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

September 18, 2025 
No. 347 

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung and his delegation attended a U-Theatre performance at the Romaeuropa Festival 2025 on September 17 in Rome, Italy. Minister Lin spoke at a reception before the event, emphasizing that cultural exchange could highlight the Taiwanese spirit and that the Taiwan Culture in Europe 2025 initiative aimed to connect Taiwan and Europe through the value of cultural diversity. U-Theatre founder Liu Ruo-yu, Romaeuropa Foundation President Guido Fabiani, and members of Italy’s Chamber of Deputies Andrea Orsini and Mauro Del Barba also attended the performance.
 
In his remarks, Minister Lin stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the Ministry of Culture had jointly implemented the Taiwan Culture in Europe 2025 initiative this year. He stressed that they hoped to promote Taiwan-Europe cultural exchanges through various art forms, including the performing arts, visual arts, music, film, architecture, comics, and literature. Minister Lin also expressed the wish that more European friends could gain an understanding of Taiwan’s authentic, diverse, and creative aspects beyond technology.
 
Minister Lin lauded U-Theatre for being one of Taiwan’s most prominent arts and cultural groups, adding that its European tour was a key highlight of the Taiwan Culture in Europe 2025 initiative. He explained that U-Theatre’s works integrated such components as drumming, martial arts, and dance to create a dynamic and powerful form of stage expression that vividly symbolized the spirit of Taiwan, in particular the tenacity and resilience of Taiwan’s people. Minister Lin also emphasized that culture served to overcome language and distance barriers and that U-Theatre’s performance should be seen as a cultural dialogue between Taiwan and Italy.
 
In addition, Minister Lin took the opportunity to thank friends across all sectors of Italy for their long-standing support of Taiwan. He stressed that Taiwan and Italy shared the universal values of democracy and human rights and enjoyed robust trade and industrial ties. Minister Lin asserted that, through cultural exchanges, Taiwan and Italy could further deepen mutual understanding and trust, paving the way for even closer bilateral cooperation in the future.
 
In his address, Romaeuropa Foundation President Fabiani shared his experiences of China attempting to interfere in his close engagement with Taiwan. He expressed that love for Taiwan had motivated him to continue promoting Taiwan-Italy cultural exchanges, undeterred by pressure from China.
 
This year, U-Theatre was invited by Romaeuropa Festival—one of Italy’s most significant cultural events—to present their celebrated work Sword of Wisdom. This gave Europeans the opportunity to experience firsthand Taiwan’s profound and rich culture. At the end, the group received a five-minute ovation, receiving high praise from the entire audience.
 
Looking ahead, MOFA will continue to connect Taiwan and Europe through cultural activities, thereby encouraging Europeans to learn more about Taiwan. This will, in turn, foster mutual understanding and appreciation of shared democratic values as the two sides join hands in strengthening unity in the global democratic camp. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA thanks foreign ministers of Malaysia and Australia for reaffirming support of cross-strait peace and stability

Date：2025-09-15
Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

September 15, 2025 
No. 339 

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan cochaired the 7th Malaysia-Australia Annual Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Melbourne, Australia, on September 12. In a joint statement issued after the meeting, the two sides reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and declared they had a stake in conflict prevention. The two sides stressed the need for open communication, reassurance, and transparency. MOFA sincerely welcomes and affirms the statement.
 
The foreign ministers’ meeting builds on the consensus reached at the 2024 2nd Australia-Malaysia Annual Leaders’ Meeting between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, with senior officials from the two countries issuing a joint statement expressing support for cross-strait peace and stability for the second consecutive year. MOFA thanks its international partners for continuing to pay attention to developments concerning cross-strait and regional peace and for taking concrete actions to support the rules-based international order. Taiwan’s government will continue to implement integrated diplomacy and collaborate with like-minded nations to maintain democracy, peace, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. (E) 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR today (December 4) jointly held a seminar on Constitution Day, with the Endeavour Education Centre as the supporting organisation. The Seminar aims to enhance public understanding of the constitutional basis of the country and HKSAR. Before the seminar began, all participants stood and observed one minute of silence in memory of the victims of the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po.

The theme of the Seminar was “The Constitution and the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation”. The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR Mr Liu Guangyuan delivered speeches respectively. This was followed by a keynote address from Professor Han Dayuan who is member of the HKSAR Basic Law Committee under the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, and professor of the Renmin Law School, Renmin University of China. The panel discussion session was moderated by member of the Management Committee of the Endeavour Education Centre, Mrs Rita Fan, who hosted a discussion with consultant of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies Professor Lau Siu-kai, and member of the Committee for Liaison with Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Overseas Chinese of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Mr David Lie. About 900 participants from various sectors of the community attended the Seminar.

Speaking at the Seminar, Mr Lee, first expressed deep condolences to the victims of the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po and offered sincere sympathies to their families and the affected residents. He said that the HKSAR Government is devoting all-out efforts to disaster relief and follow-up support, and will establish an independent committee to conduct a comprehensive review of the incident, in order to prevent similar tragedies from reoccurring and meet public expectations. He said that the painful lessons from this incident will be transformed into concrete measures to strengthen urban safety and drive institutional reform.

Mr Lee said the Constitution provides the strongest rule-of-law safeguards and institutional foundation for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and it is also the constitutional basis for establishing HKSAR. On the journey of national rejuvenation, Hong Kong is both a participant and a beneficiary. In the 28 years since its return to the motherland, Hong Kong have fully demonstrated the strong vitality and institutional superiority of “one country, two systems”, with its status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre remaining firmly consolidated. He also pointed out that Hong Kong must in future fulfil three key roles and contributions: safeguarding the Constitution and the Basic Law; better integrating into and serving the overall national development by seizing the national development directives and opportunities for Hong Kong set out in the Recommendations for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan, consolidating and enhancing its status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre, building an international innovation and technology centre as well as a hub for international high-calibre talents, and developing new quality productive forces; and serving as a bridge for exchanges between Chinese culture and world civilisations by telling the true stories of the successful practice of “one country, two systems”. Finally, Mr Lee called on all sectors to work together to build and develop Hong Kong, contribute to the cause of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and actively vote on December 7 to elect capable and aspiring Legislative Council members who will join the Government in assisting the victims, promoting reforms and building a better home in Hong Kong.

     Mr Liu, said the Constitution provides rule-of-law safeguards for realising the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation; lays the legal foundation for Hong Kong to integrate into the grand journey of national rejuvenation; and endows Hong Kong with institutional advantages to leverage its strengths in the great cause of national rejuvenation. Under the safeguard of the Constitution, China has today become the most stable, reliable and proactive force in global development, and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered an irreversible historical process. He emphasised that the Legislative Council election proceeding as scheduled on December 7 will demonstrate observance of and respect for the constitutional order and the spirit of the rule of law, and will provide strong support for maintaining social stability and post-tragedy reconstruction work. It represents the most responsible attitude towards Hong Kong’s future.

Professor Han systematically elaborated on the historical context of the concept of the “Chinese nation”, the profound significance of incorporating “the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” into the Constitution, how the Constitution provides fundamental legal safeguards for national rejuvenation, and the intrinsic relationship between “one country, two systems” and national rejuvenation. He stressed that the Constitution is the fundamental guarantee for realising the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. He called on everyone to rally social consensus around the Constitution and the Basic Law, safeguard Hong Kong’s rule of law, and cherish the hard-won achievements of the practice of “one country, two systems”, actively participate in the development of democracy with Hong Kong characteristics under “one country, two systems”, and contribute to building an open, inclusive and vibrant international metropolis.

During the panel discussion session, Professor Lau said the Constitution serves as the “ballast stone” and fundamental legal support for building China into a great country and achieving national rejuvenation. By inscribing “the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” into the fundamental law, the Constitution establishes the development path, principles of reform and opening up, and the core leadership position of the Communist Party of China, while providing solid constitutional safeguards for uniting the strength of the entire nation. Mr Lie said that if the Basic Law is likened to a great tree, the Constitution is its root, and together they form Hong Kong’s constitutional order. He hoped the younger generation in Hong Kong will deepen their understanding and study of the Constitution, thereby reinforcing the rule-of-law foundation of society.

The Government has arranged the government website as well as some major television stations to broadcast live the Seminar. The full version of the Seminar will also be uploaded to the website of the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau (www.cmab.gov.hk/en/home/index.htm) to enable members of the public to review the Seminar. They may visit the dedicated webpage (www.cmab.gov.hk/en/issues/constitution_day.htm) for other information about Constitution Day.