Month: February 2026

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Foreign Minister Lin hosts welcome luncheon for European Parliament delegation

Date：2026-01-07
Data Source：Department of European Affairs

January 7, 2026No.008On behalf of the Taiwan government, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung hosted a luncheon on January 6 to warmly welcome a 10-member delegation from the European Parliament. The two sides exchanged views on such issues as Taiwan-EU economic and trade cooperation, developments across the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region, and combating disinformation and cyberattacks.In his remarks, Minister Lin stated that Taiwan and the European Union shared the common values of democracy, freedom, and human rights. He noted that he had accompanied Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim to Brussels last year, where she attended the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China annual summit and delivered a keynote address at the European Parliament. He said that their trip had fully demonstrated the flourishing relations and ever-closer mutual trust between the two sides. Minister Lin thanked the members of the delegation for continuing to take concrete action to support and deepen bilateral relations. He also expressed hope that Taiwan and the European Union would further strengthen exchanges and cooperation in such domains as ensuring undersea cable security and resilience, building democratic supply chains, and countering authoritarian expansionism and hybrid security threats.Michael Gahler, head of the delegation and Chair of the European Taiwan Friendship Group, observed in his remarks that at a time of growing uncertainty worldwide, Taiwan and Europe were facing a number of common challenges. He anticipated that the visit would enhance the delegation’s understanding of developments in Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific. He also conveyed the delegation’s desire to further explore opportunities for bilateral collaboration in areas including the economy, security, and technology.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs thanks the European Parliament for its long-standing and steadfast support of Taiwan through concrete action. Moving forward, Taiwan will continue to advance bilateral dialogue and exchanges and work hand in hand with the European Union to consolidate the mutually beneficial partnership grounded in democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. (E)
 

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA welcomes statement by Global Affairs Canada expressing concern over China’s large-scale military exercises around Taiwan

Date：2026-01-02
Data Source：Department of North American Affairs

January 2, 2026  
No. 005  

In a statement posted on its official X account—Foreign Policy CAN—on January 2, Global Affairs Canada expressed the country’s concern over China’s recent large-scale military exercises around Taiwan. Adding to the concerns expressed in recent days by the United States, Japan, the European Union, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, and other countries, the statement by Canada once again demonstrates the democratic community’s clear position in support of maintaining the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung expresses sincere appreciation for Canada’s statement.
 
Entitled “Statement on China’s decision to undertake large-scale military drills around Taiwan,” Global Affairs Canada’s statement said that Canada opposed any unilateral attempts to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. It added that the Taiwan Strait was indispensable to the security and prosperity of the international community and that it was in the interest of all parties to maintain the peaceful and accessible nature of this waterway.
 
Minister Lin appreciates and thanks the Canadian government for conveying concern over China’s military actions, which have heightened cross-strait tensions. The expression of concern showcases Canada’s firm stance on maintaining the cross-strait status quo and demonstrates that upholding peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is the international consensus and a key interest for all concerned. The United Nations Charter clearly prohibits the threat or use of force in the settlement of disputes. This principle applies equally to the waters of the Taiwan Strait and those along the first island chain. 
 
Taiwan will continue to work with Canada and other like-minded countries to safeguard the rules-based international order and jointly advance global and regional peace, stability, and prosperity. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA welcomes statement by US State Department expressing concern over military exercises near Taiwan

Date：2026-01-02
Data Source：Department of North American Affairs

January 2, 2026  No. 004  In a statement issued on January 1, the United States Department of State expressed concern over China’s recent joint military exercises around Taiwan, which it said increased tensions. Adding to the concerns expressed by Japan, the Philippines, the European Union, Australia, and others, the statement by the United States once again demonstrates like-minded nations’ clear position in support of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung expresses sincere appreciation for the US statement.Entitled “Response to China’s Military Exercise Near Taiwan,” the State Department’s press statement observed that China’s military activities and rhetoric toward Taiwan and others in the region increased tensions unnecessarily. It urged Beijing to exercise restraint, cease its military pressure against Taiwan, and instead engage in meaningful dialogue. The statement also stressed that the United States supported peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and opposed unilateral changes to the status quo, including by force or coercion.Minister Lin appreciates and thanks the US government for expressing concern over China’s actions, which have escalated tensions across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan and the United States share such values and ideals as freedom and democracy. The statements issued by the governments and national parliaments of various nations in recent days have shown that maintaining Taiwan Strait peace and stability is the international consensus and a key interest for all concerned. The United Nations Charter clearly prohibits the threat or use of force. This principle applies equally to the waters of the Taiwan Strait and those along the first island chain.Taiwan will continue to work with the United States and other like-minded countries to defend the rules-based international order and jointly advance global and regional peace, stability, and prosperity. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

January 1, 2026No.003The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly refutes the false claims made by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs during a regular press conference on December 31, 2025, that dozens of countries had expressed support for China’s military exercises and that China disapproved of the serious concern shown by some other nations and organizations. China’s claims contravene the status quo across the Taiwan Strait and internationally recognized, objective facts. Furthermore, China’s military exercises defy the principle of refraining from the threat or use of force set out in the UN Charter.MOFA reiterates that the ROC (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent country and that neither the ROC (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is subordinate to the other. Moreover, only the people of Taiwan have the authority to determine Taiwan’s future. China does not have the right to interfere.China’s recent, unwarranted military exercises around Taiwan constitute a blatant violation of the UN Charter’s prohibition on the threat or use of force, as well as another unilateral attempt to undermine the cross-strait status quo. China’s actions have severely affected cross-strait and regional security and stability and seriously disrupted international maritime and air traffic and regular trade exchanges, harming Taiwan and other nations while yielding no gain to China. As such, any nation, entity, or individual supporting China’s heavy-handed provocations is abetting illegal behavior, and will be judged accordingly by the international community. MOFA again expresses gratitude to the international community for its strong support in recent days. In particular, public statements by numerous diplomatic allies, as well as like-minded partners such as Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Lithuania, Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, and the European External Action Service, have all underscored the importance of cross-strait peace and stability and opposition to the use of force or coercion to alter the cross-strait status quo. This once again shows that Taiwan does not stand alone.MOFA calls on the international community to continue to support democratic Taiwan and jointly safeguard cross-strait peace and stability as well as the security of the Indo-Pacific region. It welcomes friends from the international community to visit Taiwan to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation and contribute to the maintenance of regional peace and stability. (E)
 

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA welcomes statement by Philippine Department of National Defense expressing concern over China’s military exercises near Taiwan

Date：2025-12-31
Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

December 31, 2025  
No. 552  
 
In a statement issued on December 31 regarding China’s military exercises around Taiwan, the Department of National Defense of the Philippines said that the Philippines was deeply concerned by China’s increasingly intensive coercive actions targeting Taiwan and that such actions undermined regional peace and stability, further exacerbating tensions in an already fragile geopolitical environment. It also said that China’s heightened scale of coercion had implications that extended beyond cross-strait relations and into the broader Indo-Pacific community. 
 
In the statement, the Philippines also called on China to observe basic principles of self-restraint, uphold international law and regional norms, and resolve differences through peaceful means without deception, coercion, or intimidation. It also reaffirmed its support for a free, open, stable, and rules-based Indo-Pacific. 
 
Following public reaffirmations in August by Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. and the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs of their position attaching great importance to Taiwan Strait peace and stability, the statement marked another instance of the government of the Philippines publicly expressing concern over peace and stability around the waterway. 
 
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung sincerely thanks the Philippines, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and other like-minded countries in the Indo-Pacific region and around the globe for once again clearly demonstrating their support and high regard for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and for articulating a clear position on maintaining the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan appreciates all countries continuing to pay attention to the Taiwan Strait situation. 
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates that upholding peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is the international consensus and that China’s unilateral military intimidation of Taiwan lacks any legitimacy or legality. As a force for good in the international community, Taiwan will continue to work with like-minded countries to jointly promote global and Indo-Pacific peace, stability, and prosperity. (E)

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

November 9, 2025No. 458Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim attended the annual summit of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) in Brussels on November 7. She made the trip at the request of President Lai Ching-te and was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung. In the afternoon, at a session on the issue of Taiwan during the event at the European Parliament, Vice President Hsiao delivered remarks entitled “Taiwan: a trusted partner in a volatile world.”Addressing more than 50 members of the European Parliament and members of national parliaments from Europe, the United States, the Indo-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America, Vice President Hsiao called for cooperation among the world’s democracies and said that as a trusted partner, Taiwan was willing to deepen collaboration with other nations. The speech drew a standing ovation from the audience of more than 150 people, which also included representatives of civil society and the media. It was the first time that a vice president of Taiwan had addressed the European Parliament.On arriving at the European Parliament, Vice President Hsiao and Minister Lin were welcomed by Quaestor Miriam Lexmann and Bernard Guetta, a member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, acting in their capacity as IPAC cochairs for the European Parliament. IPAC Executive Director Luke de Pulford, who was also present, thanked Vice President Hsiao for accepting the invitation.In her speech, Vice President Hsiao said that the IPAC annual summit had brought together many good friends who believed deeply in democratic ideals. She added that this showed that democracies, even when far apart, were not alone.Emphasizing that Taiwan was a leading democracy, Vice President Hsiao said that it played a key role in the world’s advanced manufacturing and democratic supply chains. She pointed out that as a responsible international partner, Taiwan was an indispensable force in safeguarding global peace, prosperity, and the future of democracy.Thanking IPAC for its staunch, long-standing support for Taiwan, Vice President Hsiao said that she looked forward to deepening ties with IPAC partners and working together for a more democratic, peaceful, stable and secure world through such avenues as trade and tech cooperation, the strengthening of whole-of-society resilience and security exchanges, and the continued promotion of Taiwan’s international participation.During remarks to introduce Vice President Hsiao, Quaestor Lexmann affirmed Taiwan’s thriving democratic development. She said that she had been honored to meet with President Lai and Vice President Hsiao while attending last year’s IPAC annual summit in Taipei and expressed delight at Vice President Hsiao being invited to address this year’s event. After her speech, Vice President Hsiao interacted with IPAC members and other friends. Els Van Hoof, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Belgian Chamber of Deputies and a cochair of IPAC Belgium, also greeted Vice President Hsiao and her delegation at the airport upon their arrival in Belgium.IPAC, an interparliamentary organization founded in June 2020, is composed of members of the European Parliament and national parliaments from around the world. It currently comprises 290 cross-party members from 43 national parliaments and the European Parliament. The organization is primarily focused on addressing the challenges posed by China to democratic nations and legislation to combat China’s political and economic infiltration and coercion. IPAC is a strong supporter of cross-strait peace and stability and has urged countries to oppose China’s distortion of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sincerely appreciates IPAC’s staunch support for Taiwan.(E) 

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

ROC (Taiwan) government expresses deepest condolences on passing of H.M. Queen Sirikit of Thailand

Date：2025-10-29
Data Source：Public Diplomacy Coordination Council

October 29, 2025 
No. 435 

The government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother, mother of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
 
Following Queen Sirikit’s passing, President Lai Ching-te and Premier Cho Jung-tai conveyed the sympathies of the government and people of Taiwan in messages transmitted via the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Thailand. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Baushuan Ger visited the Thailand Trade and Economic Office (TTEO) in Taipei on the morning of October 29 to pay respects and offer condolences.
 
Queen Sirikit dedicated her entire life to the Kingdom of Thailand. She was highly respected and loved by the Thai people, and her benevolence and virtue were renowned throughout the international community. From June 5 to 8, 1963, Queen Sirikit accompanied His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on a visit to Taiwan, advancing the two nations’ friendship and cooperative ties in a range of areas. Taiwan has made significant contributions to promoting agricultural development in northern Thailand through collaboration with Thailand under the Royal Project Foundation, which was founded by King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit.
 
The people of Taiwan and Thailand enjoy frequent interactions and close exchanges. Moving forward, Taiwan will continue to deepen Taiwan-Thailand relations through integrated diplomacy.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA extends sincere congratulations to LDP President Takaichi on election as prime minister of Japan

Date：2025-10-21
Data Source：TAIWAN-JAPAN RELATIONS ASSOCIATION

October 21, 2025 
No. 411 

During a special session of the National Diet of Japan convened on October 21 to elect a new prime minister, Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi obtained the votes required to become 104th prime minister of Japan. She will now go on to form a new cabinet.
 
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung extends his sincere congratulations to Prime Minister Takaichi and has instructed the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan to transmit a congratulatory telegram to Ms. Takaichi and the entire cabinet on behalf of the government of Taiwan.
 
Taiwan and Japan share such core values as democracy, freedom, human rights, and the rule of law and have long enjoyed close and friendly interactions. Cooperation in a wide range of areas, conducted through values-based diplomacy, alliance-based diplomacy, and economic diplomacy, continues to yield fruitful results.
 
Prime Minister Takaichi will be Japan’s first female prime minister. As an individual of great vision and courage, she has always staunchly supported Taiwan. Numerous members of her cabinet maintain close ties with Taiwan and have led delegations to Taiwan on many occasions, conducting extensive and in-depth exchanges with various sectors of Taiwan on issues of mutual concern and helping deepen friendly exchanges and collaboration between both nations.
 
Building upon this solid foundation, Taiwan looks forward to advancing cooperation with Prime Minister Takaichi’s new government. Continuing to promote a mutually beneficial comprehensive partnership in all areas of common concern and interest, Taiwan will work together with Japan to make even more contributions to Indo-Pacific peace, stability, and prosperity. (E)