MOFA sincerely thanks Saint Christopher and Nevis government for supporting peace and stability across Taiwan Strait
Date：2025-04-21
Data Source：Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs
April 21, 2025
No. 106
In a statement published on April 18, the government of Saint Christopher and Nevis said it observed with profound and growing concern the recent escalation of tensions in the Taiwan Strait. It said it held the conviction that all societies, regardless of size or geopolitical influence, should be allowed to advance their development without fear of aggression, intimidation, or the threat of conflict. In addition, it emphasized the need for constructive diplomacy to ensure lasting peace and security across the Taiwan Strait.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) extends its sincere gratitude to the government of Saint Christopher and Nevis for taking concrete action to convey staunch support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
This statement by the government of Saint Christopher and Nevis, which follows the adoption of a resolution by the country’s National Assembly on April 17 endorsing Taiwan’s international participation, fully demonstrates the close and cordial diplomatic bond between Taiwan and Saint Christopher and Nevis. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will continue to work with the global democratic camp to jointly safeguard stable and prosperous development globally and throughout the Asia-Pacific region. (E)
MOFA welcomes pragmatic step by the Philippine government to promote closer bilateral interactions
Date：2025-04-21
Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs
April 21, 2025
No. 108
The government of the Philippines issued Memorandum Circular No. 82 on April 21. The document, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, declared that the Philippine government would relax certain restrictions on interactions with Taiwan to promote economic, trade, and investment relations between the two countries.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung affirms the Philippine government’s pragmatic step to promote bilateral relations, expressing his belief that new regulations will help Taiwan continue to deepen substantive cooperation with the Philippines under the policy of integrated diplomacy.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stresses that Taiwan is the Philippines’ eighth-largest export market, ninth-largest trading partner, and 10th-largest source of imports. As Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has emphasized repeatedly, peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are a priority, while peace, security, and stability are the concern of all nations. Moving forward, Taiwan will continue to work with democratic allies such as the Philippines to jointly contribute to regional prosperity, peace, and stability. (E)
MOFA response to false claims regarding Taiwan in joint statement between PRC and Cambodia
Date：2025-04-19
Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs
April 19, 2025
Chinese leader Xi Jinping met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet during a visit to Cambodia from April 17 to 18. The two sides issued a joint statement on April 18 falsely claiming that the authority of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 “brooks no question or challenge.” It also said that Cambodia “recognizes that there is but one China in the world and emphasizes that the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory.” These statements could not be further from the truth.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) solemnly protests and condemns the Chinese government’s repeated dissemination of preposterous narratives aimed at undermining Taiwan’s sovereignty. It also expresses deep regret over the Cambodian government’s subservience to China, whose actions are designed to downgrade Taiwan’s sovereignty.
MOFA emphasizes that UNGA Resolution 2758 merely established China’s representation in the United Nations. It makes absolutely no mention of Taiwan, nor does it authorize the PRC to represent Taiwan in any international organization.
MOFA reaffirms that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is an independent, sovereign country; that neither the ROC (Taiwan) nor the PRC is subordinate to the other; and that the Chinese communist regime has never governed Taiwan. It also reiterates that narratives aimed at distorting Taiwan’s sovereign status run contrary to reality and cannot change the internationally recognized status quo across the Taiwan Strait. MOFA strongly denounces the Chinese government for repeatedly claiming that Taiwan is an internal issue at international events and attempting to downgrade Taiwan’s sovereignty.
MOFA calls on the global community to be aware of China’s efforts to use lawfare to misrepresent UNGA Resolution 2758, mischaracterize Taiwan as an internal matter, and block international support for Taiwan. MOFA urges nations worldwide to continue to take concrete action to counter and explicitly oppose China’s relentless misrepresentation of the resolution and China’s malicious endeavors to change the cross-strait status quo, thereby jointly safeguarding peace, stability, and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region.
MOFA thanks Saint Christopher and Nevis National Assembly for passing resolution endorsing Taiwan’s participation in international organizations
Date：2025-04-18
Data Source：Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs
April 18, 2025
No. 101
The National Assembly of Saint Christopher and Nevis on April 17 adopted a resolution proposed by Prime Minister Terrance Drew that endorsed Taiwan’s participation in the United Nations, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the International Criminal Police Organization, and the International Civil Aviation Organization. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) sincerely appreciates the staunch and unwavering support and friendship that parliamentarians from governing and opposition parties of Saint Christopher and Nevis have shown toward Taiwan through concrete action.
The resolution pointed out that Saint Christopher and Nevis parliamentarians, as members of the Formosa Club, cherished their country’s diplomatic ties with Taiwan. It stated that over the years the two nations had built a robust friendship based on shared values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. The resolution lauded Taiwan for its contributions to global public health and recognized Taiwan’s efforts and actions in such fields as renewable energy, climate change adaptation, disaster warning systems, the fight against transnational crime, and the development of international civil aviation. It urged all sectors to support Taiwan’s professional, pragmatic, and constructive participation in the United Nations and other international organizations.
This marks the third consecutive year that the National Assembly of Saint Christopher and Nevis has passed a Taiwan-friendly resolution, underscoring the close and friendly diplomatic alliance between the two countries. Taiwan will continue to work with Saint Christopher and Nevis and other allies and like-minded nations to make even greater contributions to peace, security, and sustainable development across the globe. (E)
This year’s April 23 marks the second Hong Kong Reading for All Day. Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) today collaborated with stakeholders to set up reading locations for “Read Together for Half an Hour” activities to promote reading among the public.
Director of Leisure & Cultural Services Manda Chan attended the “Read Together for Half an Hour” activity at the Hong Kong Central Library to share her reading experience with the participating students, remarking that reading while broadening one’s horizons is also life-enriching. She encouraged students to keep reading.
HKPL also invited renowned online content creator SaiDorSi to explore the relationship between reading and creativity with the participating students.
“Read Together for Half an Hour” is one of the highlight activities of Hong Kong Reading Week 2025.
The department provided a variety of books at different reading locations today, including the Museum of Art, the Science Museum, the Oil Street Art Space, the Railway Museum, Choi Hung Road Sports Centre, Tsuen Wan Sports Centre, Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park and individual public libraries.
In addition, “Read Together for Half an Hour” activities were held at 2025 Hong Kong Reading+ at New Town Plaza in Sha Tin, as well as at individual community libraries and community centres.
Furthermore, HKPL, in collaboration with the Hans Andersen Club, carried out the “Read together for Half an Hour” event and carnival at Lok Fu Place, featuring storytelling sessions, game booths and handicraft workshops. A reading area with selected books was also set up to promote reading.
Hong Kong Reading Week is being held from April 19 to 27. Under the theme “Zoom/LIBRARY”, it offers about 450 online and on-site events to encourage the public to develop a reading habit.
Activities include fun days, sharing sessions, videos and audio clips in which celebrities share their reading experiences and more. QR codes for selected e-books are available at different government venues for easy public access.
All Hong Kong Reading Week activities are free of charge, with seat reservations required for individual events.
[PRESS RELEASE – 9 APRIL 2025] – The first ever certified local course for electric vehicle (EV) mechanics has been completed, with the participants receiving their certificates today in a ceremony held at the National University of Samoa (NUS).
Thirty one drivers and vehicle operators from different Government Ministries and Authorities, and automotive trainers and teachers from the National University of Samoa, Don Bosco Technical College, and Laumua o Puna’oa Vocational School, have completed the four-day Train the Trainers course on EV automotive Professional Continuation Training (PCT), that was conducted at NUS.
The training was run by EV specialist, Paul Corbert, from REPCO New Zealand, and was made possible under the Japan-funded CAP-IT Project which promotes clean, green transport, and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in close partnership with the Government of Samoa through the Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure.
“This training is part of a broader effort under CAP-IT to build capacity where it matters most — in our institutions, in our teachers, and in our young people. This is only the beginning. As we roll out new curricula, upgrade automotive workshops in three schools – which we launched yesterday, and scale up access to EV infrastructure, we are also investing in people — people like you — who will make this transition real, relevant, and lasting,” said Aliona Niculita, UNDP Resident Representative.
The trainers will now pass on their newfound skills and knowledge to their students, who will become the new generation of EV professionals who will lead the transition to green transport in Samoa.
“I’m grateful for this course and the new knowledge and skills I have gained, along with my fellow teachers, which will go a long way in helping us to train and teach our youth at our school at Don Bosco Technical Centre at Alafua on this relatively new concept of green transport,” said Teaali’i Aukusitino Kalolo, Head of Department, Automotive and Mechanical Education at Don Bosco.
This course is the operationalization of the new curriculum and EV mechanics education that was launched yesterday, along with the Transport and Infrastructure Sector Decarbonization Strategy and Sustainable Land Use and Mobility Plan.
The design and rollout of this training programme was done in collaboration with the KVA consortium of Samoa and FLOW Consultants of New Zealand.
[PRESS RELEASE 08 April 2025] – A significant educational milestone has been reached, with the opening of electric vehicles (EV) automotive workshops in three vocational institutions in Samoa, namely the National University of Samoa, Don Bosco Technical Centre, and Laumua o Puna’oa Technical College.
These workshops will be supported by the incorporation of an EV mechanics curriculum as a Professional Continuing Training (PCT) programme of these schools, pending the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding soon.
These will equip students with essential knowledge and skills in EV automotive and electrical fields, preparing them to become certified EV mechanics, and laying the foundation for integrating EV training into national education.
These were highlighted today at a ceremony at Don Bosco, Alafua, which also celebrated the launch of the Transport and Infrastructure Sector Decarbonization Strategy and Sustainable Land Use and Mobility Plan, with Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, doing the honours.
“Transport is a key enabler of connectivity — supporting trade, employment, education, and healthcare. Yet, it is also one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions in Samoa. The importance of these Plans are clear: it ensures that Samoa remains steadfast in its commitment to transitioning to a lower-carbon future. It encompasses new legislation, policy changes, financing initiatives, and interventions to support our transportation needs in a way that minimizes environmental harm while ensuring that future generations benefit from enhanced mobility,” said Olo Fiti Afoa Vaai, Minister for the Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure.
These new developments have all been made possible under the CAP-IT Project – Climate Action Pathways for Island Transport – which aims to facilitate Samoa’s transition to a more clean and sustainable transport sector.
The project is funded by the Government of Japan, and jointly implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Government of Samoa through the Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure.
“Japan is proud to support Samoa’s long-term journey towards a cleaner, more resilient transport sector. By advancing policies, building skills, and providing infrastructure through the CAP-IT project, we are investing in a sustainable future led by Samoa’s youth and powered by innovation,” said Ryotaro Suzuki, Ambassador of Japan to Samoa.
The Transport Sector Decarbonization Strategy and Sustainable Land Use and Mobility Plan will guide Samoa’s transition from fossil fuel dependency to a decarbonized transport sector. This shift will not only reduce carbon emissions but also improve transport services, ensuring a healthier and more sustainable Samoa.
“The long-term benefits of these initiatives extend far beyond environmental stewardship. They create jobs, empower our youth, and open new economic opportunities in the burgeoning field of sustainable transport. UNDP remains steadfast in supporting Samoa’s capacity-building efforts, fostering innovation, and implementing policies that drive systemic change in our transport sector,” said Aliona Niculita, UNDP Resident Representative in Samoa.
The CAP-IT project is a component of the Japan-funded US$36.8 million regional project, ‘Promoting Green Transformation in the Pacific Region towards Net-zero and Climate-Resilient Development’, also supporting Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Vanuatu in achieving their green transformation ambitions for a more inclusive, climate-resilient future.
[PRESS RELEASE – TUESDAY 8 APRIL 2025] – His Excellency Mr. Victor Vavricker presented his Letters of Credence to the Head of State of the Independent State of Samoa, Afioga Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II, at a Credentials Ceremony held this morning at the Official Residence of the Head of State at Vailele, accrediting His Excellency as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Switzerland to Samoa with residence in Wellington, New Zealand.
Samoa and Switzerland have enjoyed cordial relations since the establishment of formal ties on 1 August 1981. Over the years, our collaboration has grown through shared values of multilateralism, sustainable development, and in addressing the challenges posed by climate change. Ambassador Vavricka reaffirmed Switzerland’s continued support for Samoa and the Pacific region, underscoring the importance of cooperation, respect for sovereignty, and shared development goals, as well as recognizing the vital role of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the global community.
Afioga Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II welcomed the Ambassador and acknowledged the growing partnership between Samoa and Switzerland. The Head of State highlighted Switzerland’s contributions to international development initiatives, particularly those that align with Samoa’s national priorities. His Highness reaffirmed Samoa’s confidence in the strengthening of bilateral relations, noting that Ambassador Vavricka’s tenure would further enhance the strong and enduring partnership between the two countries. The Head of State also acknowledged the contributions of the Honorary Consul Mrs. Sylvie Salanoa in strengthening Samoa-Switzerland relations through small grant projects in the local community.
H.E. Mr. Viktor Vavricka holds a licentiate in Law from the University of Zurich. He entered the service of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs in 2002, where he was initially assigned as a stagiaire in Bern and Ottawa. Mr. Vavricka has held several senior positions within Switzerland’s foreign service, including heading the Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Section in the Directorate of International Law and the Asset Recovery Task Force. He also held various diplomatic postings including as Deputy Head of Mission in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Bangkok, Thailand, and Berlin, Germany. In 2021, he was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Switzerland to New Zealand with cross accreditation to Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, and Tuvalu. He also serves as the Consul General to American Samoa.
END
Photo by the Government of Samoa (Jasmine Netzler-Iose)
[PRESS RELEASE 07 April 2025] – Marking a major milestone for regional cooperation and resilience, the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority (SFESA) and the National Fire Authority (NFA) of Fiji have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance fire safety and emergency response capabilities across the Pacific.
“This MOU represents more than a formal agreement — it is a shared vision for a safer, more resilient Pacific, knowing your neighbours and knowing their strengths and capabilities is a valuable asset.
It is testament to the value of regionalism, of understanding that when we combine our knowledge, skills and resources, we are far more capable than when we act alone” said Commissioner Tanuvasa Oloapu Petone Mauga of SFESA.
Through collaboration, training, and mutual support, we can strengthen our collective ability to respond to the evolving risks facing our communities.
The MOU outlines key areas of cooperation, including:
•Share trainings opportunities and personnel exchanges to strengthen operational readiness
•Collaborative fire prevention and community education programs – SFESA and NFA will promote fire safety and educate the public/community on best practices to reduce fire risks
•Adoption of modern firefighting technologies and best practices – the partnership will focus on adopting latest technology in firefighting and techniques to improve operational effectiveness in times of disaster and major emergencies
•Cooperation for the purpose to support each other in the building of safe and more resilient communities in the Pacific Region
Following the formalities, the SFESA delegation visited key NFA facilities, beginning with Lami Fire Station, where they were warmly welcomed with a ceremonial parade. The visit provided an in-depth overview of the station’s operations and highlighted the dedication of Fiji’s firefighters.
These engagements provided valuable insights into Fiji’s emergency response infrastructure and reinforced the importance of regional learning and exchange.
SFESA extends its heartfelt gratitude to the leadership and personnel of NFA Fiji for their warm hospitality, and to the Pacific Islands Emergency Management Alliance (PIEMA) for their continued support in making this milestone a reality.
[PRESS RELEASE 07 April 2025] – The Samoa Airport Authority (S.A.A.) wishes to clarify the recent vehicle screening operations conducted at the entry gate of Faleolo International Airport.
The SAA’s decision to implement random screening of vehicles entering the airport premises was made in response to serious and escalating threats to public safety, security and airport property. Over the past several months, there have been three separate incidents involving violent disputes on airport grounds including in the public car park area. These incidents involved the use of dangerous weapons such as machetes and alarmingly, the discharge of firearms.
These occurrences represent a threat to the safety and security of travelers, airport personnel, and the general public. As stipulated in the Airport Authority Act 2012, relevant by-laws, operating procedures and codes of practices, the SAA may exercise all necessary measures to prevent such threats from materializing again.
It is important to note that the initial intent of the screening operation was to carry out a brief series of security-related questions to the general public entering the Airport, not to conduct physical searches of vehicles or personal belongings. Unfortunately, there was a miscommunication with some members of our security teams, which resulted in unintended and more extensive screening procedures at the entry point in recent days.
While we regret the inconvenience this may have caused, the decision was made with the safety and security of all airport users as the highest priority. We are currently reviewing our communication and operational protocols to ensure clarity and consistency in the future.
The Samoa Airport Authority appreciates the understanding and cooperation of the public as we continue to work towards providing a safe and secure environment at Faleolo International Airport.