Month: November 2025

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Foreign Minister Lin hosts banquet for delegation of US and Japanese experts and scholars attending Prospect Foundation tabletop exercise

Date：2025-11-15
Data Source：Department of Policy Planning

November 15, 2025No. 474Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung hosted a banquet for a 12-member delegation from the Japan-based think tank Sasakawa Peace Foundation and the US-based think tank Institute for Indo-Pacific Security on the evening of November 14. The delegation, visiting Taiwan to attend a tabletop exercise organized by Taiwan’s Prospect Foundation, included Sasakawa Peace Foundation Executive Director Nobukatsu Kanehara and Institute for Indo-Pacific Security Chairman Randall G. Schriver. Prospect Foundation Chairman Chen Tan-sun, Prospect Foundation President Lai I-chung, and National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Lin Fei-fan were also invited to the event, where they exchanged views with the delegation on Taiwan Strait and regional security issues.In his remarks, Minister Lin expressed gratitude to the Sasakawa Peace Foundation and the Institute for Indo-Pacific Security for their long-standing support and contributions to Taiwan, saying that he hoped the dinner would be an opportunity to exchange perspectives on such issues of shared concern as regional security. He emphasized that Taiwan played an important role in upholding the values of peace, democracy, and freedom and had always sought to promote regional stability and shared development, adding that Taiwan was willing to shoulder associated responsibilities and continued to be an influential stakeholder on the international stage.Minister Lin went on to point out that the international outlook was serious—not least due to China’s increasing diplomatic, economic, and military pressure on Taiwan. Noting that Taiwan Legislator Puma Shen had recently been placed under investigation by Chinese agencies for engaging in so-called “secession-related” activities, Minister Lin said that this highlighted China’s use of transnational repression to intimidate and pressure Taiwan. He said that, in response, Taiwan would remain unwavering in its commitment to defending freedom and democracy alongside fellow democracies.Under its policy of integrated diplomacy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to cooperate with like-minded democratic partners so as to jointly safeguard regional security and the stability of global supply chains. In recent years, Taiwan’s cooperation with the United States and Japan has grown closer in such areas as politics, economics, technology, and culture, contributing meaningfully to the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and throughout the region. (E)
 

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

US government officially notifies Taiwan of latest arms sale; first sale during second Trump administration

Date：2025-11-14
Data Source：Department of North American Affairs

November 14, 2025  
No. 467  

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has received official notification from the United States government that its executive branch has informed Congress of an approximately US$330 million arms sale to Taiwan, including nonstandard components and accessories for aircraft of Taiwan’s air force. This arms sale once again demonstrates that the United States continues to honor its security commitments to Taiwan as outlined in the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances.
 
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung welcomes the sale and expresses sincere gratitude for the bipartisan support from the US administration and Congress. This shows that the United States attaches great importance to cross-strait peace and stability and Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities.
 
The latest arms sale is the first one to be announced by the second Trump administration. It continues the US policy of normalized arms sales and underscores the US commitment to enhancing Taiwan’s defense capabilities and resilience. High-ranking US officials have repeatedly emphasized that the United States will continue to safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and oppose unilateral changes to the status quo.
 
In the face of China’s expanding military power, frequent military activities, and gray-zone coercion, Taiwan has consistently upheld its dedication to peace and freedom and demonstrated a firm resolve to defend itself. President Lai Ching-te has announced that Taiwan’s defense budget will exceed three percent of GDP by 2026 and reach five percent by 2030. 
 
MOFA stresses that Taiwan will further deepen cooperation with the United States and other security partners and bolster its defense capabilities and resilience. It also welcomes concrete actions by the international community to jointly advance peace, stability, and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and the region. (E)
 

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to false and threatening remarks made by China’s Taiwan Affairs Office against Taiwan Legislator Shen

November 14, 2025The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) solemnly condemns and refutes the false claims and threatening statements made by China’s Taiwan Affairs Office on November 14 against Taiwan Legislator Puma Shen following his attendance at a hearing of the German Bundestag Committee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid. The hearing focused on disinformation by autocratic states and their aim of weakening democracy and threatening human rights.MOFA solemnly reiterates that neither the Republic of China (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other and that China has no jurisdiction over Taiwan. MOFA urges China to act in accordance with its status as a great power. Attempting to exert long-arm jurisdiction and engage in cross-border persecution of free people from other countries is unacceptable to the international community and deeply angers the people of Taiwan. This behavior is also detrimental to the peaceful and positive development of cross-strait relations and will only serve to further alienate the Taiwan people.MOFA reaffirms that in response to China’s threats of employing extraterritorial jurisdiction and cross-border suppression, Taiwan’s relevant government agencies have enhanced already close coordination; strengthened cooperation with the international community; and bolstered the emergency response and assistance mechanisms of overseas missions to ensure the safety of Taiwan nationals abroad.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to G7 foreign ministers’ statement emphasizing cross-strait peace and stability and supporting Taiwan’s international participation

November 13, 2025  

The foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) and the high representative for foreign affairs and security policy of the European Union met in Niagara, Canada, on November 12. After the event, they issued a joint statement reiterating the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and opposing any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion. They also encouraged the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues through constructive dialogue and supported Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations. 
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) sincerely welcomes and appreciates the joint statement.
 
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung notes that the document marks the fourth time this year that the G7 foreign ministers have reiterated their constructive position regarding cross-strait peace and stability, showing that preserving the status quo across the Taiwan Strait is the consensus of the international community. Minister Lin also affirms that the G7 foreign ministers have repeatedly championed Taiwan’s international participation this year. MOFA welcomes such expressions of concern and support by allies and friendly countries at international occasions. Taiwan, as a responsible member of the international community, will keep working with democratic partners to jointly ensure regional and cross-strait peace, stability, and prosperity. MOFA will continue to promote integrated diplomacy to demonstrate Taiwan’s contributions to multilateral collaboration.
 
For this G7 foreign ministers’ meeting, Canada also invited the foreign ministers of Brazil, India, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, the Republic of Korea, South Africa, and Ukraine to discuss such issues as maritime security and prosperity, critical minerals, economic resilience, and energy security.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to false claims online regarding Vice President Hsiao’s attendance at IPAC annual summit

November 12, 2025  

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) solemnly issues the following clarification in response to false claims online regarding Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim’s attendance at the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) annual summit.

1. Vice President Hsiao was invited by IPAC EU Cochairs Miriam Lexmann and Bernard Guetta to deliver a keynote address at the IPAC annual summit held in the European Parliament. Online claims that financial support was exchanged for the invitation are entirely fabricated and completely inconsistent with the facts. 

In addition, online reports suggested that IPAC had received donations from such organizations as Hello Taiwan. Even if such donations were made, they would have been conducted independently by the parties in accordance with their respective articles of association and relevant regulations. 

MOFA emphasizes that Vice President Hsiao’s trip to Europe was at the invitation of IPAC to deliver an address at its annual summit in Brussels; that it did not involve any third party; and that it was arranged and conducted in the strictest confidence.

2. To deepen international support for Taiwan, MOFA has a long-standing practice of allocating funds—subject to oversight by the Legislative Yuan—to regularly invite members of parliament and other prominent political figures from friendly nations to Taiwan. On past visits to Taiwan, IPAC Cochairs Lexmann and Guetta both took the initiative to inform the European Parliament of their acceptance of related invitations in accordance with the European Parliament’s rules and regulations. During the process, they adhered to the principle of transparency, as is the standard for exchanges between mature democracies that uphold the rule of law.

MOFA reiterates that Taiwan’s international cooperation and exchanges have long aligned with the principles of openness, transparency, mutual benefit, respect, democracy, and the rule of law. MOFA protests in the strongest terms and deeply regrets that online media reports employed unverified and one-sided claims, which sought to confuse and mislead the public. MOFA urges the media to verify all information so as to avoid damaging journalistic integrity and Taiwan’s international image.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The 2025 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Medical Products Administration Conference was convened in Hong Kong today (November 18). Representatives from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) and the regulatory authorities of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao exchanged views on enhancing the working mechanism for regulatory collaborations on drugs and medical devices in the GBA, and fostering the innovation development on regulating drugs and medical devices in the region.

Under the guidance of the NMPA, the Conference was co-organised by the Department of Health (DH) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, the Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration, and the Pharmaceutical Administration Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government. Deputy Commissioner of the NMPA, Dr Yang Sheng, also attended the Conference.

Addressing at the Conference, the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, said, “The Recommendations of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee for Formulating the 15th Five‑Year Plan for Economic and Social Development, adopted at the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC, proposed to support the development of innovative drugs and medical devices, and to promote the inheritance and innovation of Chinese medicine and the integration of Chinese medicine and Western medicine. The HKSAR Government is fully committed to aligning with these key national strategies, leveraging Hong Kong’s unique advantages of enjoying strong support of the Motherland and being closely connected to the world under the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ principle to develop Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub and a bridgehead for Chinese medicine to go global, contributing to the high-quality development of the national pharmaceutical industry.”

“Through the establishment of ‘one institute, one center’ in the Hetao area (i.e. the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute in the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone and the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trials Center (GBAICTI) in the Shenzhen Park) and the formation of the ‘GBA Clinical Trial Collaboration Platform’, we are promoting international multi-centre clinical trials of innovative drugs and medical devices, gathering top-tier global research resources and accelerating the transformation of research and development outcomes. By 2026, the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation (CMPR) will be established, and the ‘primary evaluation’ for new drug registration will be implemented in phases, expediting the transformation of CMPR into an internationally recognised regulatory authority for medical products. These will strongly support the high-quality development of the national biopharmaceutical industry and jointly build the GBA into a world-class health and medical innovation hub. Regarding the development of Chinese medicine, we will announce the Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint outlining the way forward for the development of Chinese medicine in Hong Kong, and injecting new momentum for Chinese medicine to go global.”

The Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, said, “GBA serves as a leading region for medical products innovation nationwide. The medical products regulatory authorities of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao have a significant responsibility. We not only safeguard public health of the people, but also drive scientific innovation with regulation and enhance the country’s technological capabilities and international influence. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the release of the Work Plan for Regulatory Innovation and Development of Pharmaceutical and Medical Device in the GBA. There have been steady advancements in the innovative development of medical products regulation in the GBA, leading to fruitful achievements for Hong Kong in the field of medical products regulation, including the establishment of a real-time risk communication system, enhanced personnel and technical training, accelerated cross-boundary market access and circulation of high quality pharmaceutical and medical device products in the GBA, joint development of the standards of pharmaceutical products, and collaborative enforcement. These are some of the best examples of ‘collaboration, innovation and mutual benefit’ in the GBA.”

At the meeting, Dr Lam also reported on the HKSAR’s achievements in promoting the GBA’s collaborative strength in pharmaceutical regulation. These achievements included hosting the first International Medical Device Regulatory Forum and the global “2025 Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (PIC/S) Seminar” in Hong Kong. Under the “special measure of using Hong Kong registered drugs and medical devices used in Hong Kong public hospitals in GBA”, 61 drugs and 73 medical devices have been allowed to be used in the 45 designated healthcare institutions. A total of 16 proprietary Chinese medicines (pCms) for external use and one pCm for oral use, all registered in Hong Kong, have been approved for sale in the Chinese Mainland. Additionally, one Western medicine and two Chinese medicines have been approved for production and market launch in the GBA through a new cross-boundary contract manufacturing model, under which research, development and production occur in Hong Kong while manufacturing takes place in the GBA.

During the Conference, representatives from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao exchanged views on enhancing collaboration and training in drug evaluation and Good Manufacturing Practice inspection, as well as conducting international multi-centre clinical trials for innovative drugs and medical devices. In addition, the NMPA introduced the latest situation of various regulatory work, including the streamlining of approval procedures for Hong Kong- and Macao-registered traditional proprietary Chinese medicines for oral use.

Other HKSAR Government representatives at the Conference include Deputy Secretary for Health, Ms Elaine Mak, and the Controller of Regulatory Affairs of the DH, Dr Fung Ying. Representatives from the Hong Kong Hospital Authority, the GBAICTI, relevant departments from Guangdong Province and nine Chinese Mainland cities in the GBA also participated in the Conference.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (November 18) that the department is delighted to have won consecutive gold and silver awards this year in the annual Hong Kong’s Best Public Toilet Award organised by the Hong Kong Toilet Association.

Having won the gold award, the Lan Kwai Fong Public Toilet in Central and Western District is equipped with an air-conditioning system, facilities such as automatic sensor water taps and soap dispensers, and a touchless flush system. Toilet attendants provide round-the-clock service during weekends and public holidays. The Kam Tin Shi Public Toilet in Yuen Long District has won the silver award. With a simple and unpretentious appearance as well as a bright and hygienic interior design, the toilet is equipped with facilities including the three-in-one Cabinet Wash Hand Basin (combining automatic sensor water tap, soap dispenser and hand dryer), and a touchless flush system.

“In recent years, the FEHD has been enhancing the facilities, management and hygiene of public toilets (PTs), taking a multi-pronged approach and introducing new technologies to provide a better user experience for the public. We are delighted to learn that the PTs of the FEHD have won best toilet awards in consecutive years. This recognition is a testament to the department’s hard work and dedication.”

The FEHD has earlier noted the ageing of facilities in Sai Ying Pun Market toilets and Kowloon City Road Public Toilet, and has already made facelifting and refurbishment plans. Among which, the toilet on the ground floor of Sai Ying Pun Market is scheduled to re-open within this month upon the completion of refurbishment works, while the works for the rest will commence in the coming months. Before the facelifting and refurbishment works are completed, the FEHD will enhance cleansing and collaborate with relevant departments to expedite the repair of damaged facilities.

The spokesman said, “The FEHD will continue to enhance the hygiene and management of PTs under its purview, and improve the facilities and service quality of PTs through innovative ideas. We appeal to the public to maintain the cleanliness and hygiene of public facilities and help ensure that PTs are well cared for.”

The FEHD currently manages over 800 PTs. Since 2019-20, the FEHD and Architectural Services Department (ArchSD) have been proactively forging ahead with the Enhanced Public Toilet Refurbishment Programme. As of this September, full refurbishment or facelifting for about 480 PTs has been rolled out, with approximately 190 of these projects already completed. By planning ahead, streamlining or compressing preliminary work flows and adopting new construction methods and technologies, the FEHD and the ArchSD aim to commence full refurbishment or facelifting works for the remaining some 200 PTs across the territory by the end of 2028.

The FEHD employs technologies to enhance the service of PTs, including installing sensors in 15 PTs to monitor usage rates and environmental parameters in real time. When odour concentration is detected to have reached an alarming level, the system will immediately notify the responsible staff through an SMS message to arrange cleansing. Additionally, novel air purification technologies are utilised to catalytically decompose pollutants and to eliminate odour at source. Ozone generators are also deployed in individual PTs to convert the oxygen in the air to ozone, and through nanobubble technology, effectively oxidise the bacteria and viruses in water, preventing the formation of biofilms on toilet surfaces and reducing odours generated from excreta.

The FEHD has installed wireless broadcasting systems in approximately 200 PTs located at tourist attractions or with high utilisation rates across the territory to promote the importance of toilet cleanliness and proper use of facilities. Furthermore, public toilet cleansing services are gradually being separated from the street cleansing service contracts and procured independently under dedicated contracts. Provisions requiring toilet attendants to have received relevant vocational training with recognised qualifications are included in the new public toilet management service contracts with a view to upgrading the service standards.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force took enforcement actions in Eastern District today (November 18) and arrested a 68-year-old man for being suspected of “knowingly publishing publications that had a seditious intention”, in contravention of Section 24 of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance and “engaging in illegal conduct to incite another person not to vote, or to cast invalid vote, by activity in public during election period” in contravention of Section 27(A) of the Cap. 554 Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance (ECICO).

Investigation revealed that the arrested person was suspected of repeatedly publishing posts with seditious intentions on online social platforms, with content provoking hatred towards the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Judiciary and law enforcement agencies, and to incite others not to vote or to cast invalid vote in an election.

Police conducted searches at the residence of the arrested person with court warrant, and seized some electronic communication devices that had been used to disseminate messages with seditious intention. The arrested person is being detained for further enquiries.

Police condemn the acts of the person concerned and reiterate that publishing texts with seditious intention and calling upon others not to vote or to cast invalid votes in an election are serious offences. For the offence of “knowingly publishing publications that had a seditious intention”, offenders shall be liable on conviction to a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment. According to the ECICO, any person who publicly incites another person not to vote or to cast invalid votes during an election is liable on conviction to a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment and a fine of HK$200,000. Members of the public are urged not to defy the law.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Police’s National Security Department took enforcement actions in Eastern District today and arrested a 68-year-old man for “knowingly publishing publications that had a seditious intention” in contravention of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, and “engaging in illegal conduct to incite another person not to vote or to cast invalid vote by activity in public during election period” in contravention of the Elections (Corrupt & Illegal Conduct) Ordinance.

Investigations revealed that the man was suspected of repeatedly publishing posts with seditious intention on online social platforms, with content provoking hatred towards the Government, the Judiciary and law enforcement agencies, and to incite others not to vote or to cast an invalid vote in an election.

Police conducted searches at his residence with a court warrant and seized some electronic communication devices that had been used to disseminate messages with seditious intention. The arrestee is being detained for further enquiries.