Month: March 2026

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA condemns Cameroon for error-riddled visa documents compelling Taiwan’s absence from WTO MC14 and thanks allies and like-minded partners for support

Date：2026-03-26
Data Source：Department of International Cooperation and Economic Affairs

March 26, 2026  
No. 115  

The 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) is scheduled to take place on March 26 in the Republic of Cameroon. As the host country, Cameroon applied a disparaging nationality designation to visas for the Taiwan delegation that wrongly implied Taiwan’s subordination to another WTO member. This constituted a blatant violation of relevant WTO regulations and a departure from the long-standing practice of previous host countries. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on March 20 lodged a formal protest and expressed to Cameroon and the WTO Secretariat its strong condemnation regarding this unacceptable political manipulation.
 
Only after Taiwan had lodged a formal protest did Cameroon begin to address Taiwan’s inherent right to participate under its proper designation and with full dignity. Cameroon proposed a visa exemption arrangement for the Taiwan delegation as a remedial measure, highlighting the reasonable and justified nature of Taiwan’s position.
 
However, the visa exemption documents issued by Cameroon were riddled with errors. Not only were the names of delegation members misspelled, but the members were also almost entirely misidentified as female. These inaccuracies underscore Cameroon’s gross administrative negligence and lack of good faith. And because Cameroon provided the documents in an untimely manner, the Taiwan delegation was unable to seek remediation. Further, such flawed documents could expose members of the Taiwan delegation to obstruction or undignified treatment upon arrival in Cameroon. Therefore, following a comprehensive assessment, Taiwan has made the difficult decision to withdraw from MC14.
 
MOFA reiterates that Taiwan acceded to the WTO pursuant to Article XII of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization as a separate customs territory possessing full autonomy and not subordinate to any other member. Since Taiwan’s first attendance at the WTO Ministerial Conference in 2001, all previous host countries have facilitated Taiwan’s participation in accordance with WTO regulations and established practices. This has included using the designation TAIWAN or TWN in the fields for nationality and place of birth and issuing invitation letters to enable visa-free entry for delegations from Taiwan.
 
MOFA expresses its sincere appreciation to the United States, Japan, other like-minded partners, and Taiwan’s diplomatic allies for their concern regarding this matter and for their mediation and coordination efforts.
 
MOFA solemnly states that Taiwan will call on future hosts of WTO Ministerial Conferences to provide formal assurances that similar incidents undermining the equal rights of members will not recur. Taiwan also urges WTO members to jointly uphold the inviolable right to equality. As a steadfast supporter of multilateralism, Taiwan will continue to work with other WTO members to safeguard the WTO-centered rules-based international economic and trade order. (E)

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee today announced the appointment of Janice Tse as Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs, following approval by the Central People’s Government of his nomination and recommendation in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Basic Law.

Describing her as a seasoned, retired Administrative Officer with 37 years of service, Mr Lee said Ms Tse brings strong leadership and extensive experience to the role, and is able to foster effective co-operation at all levels of government.

“I am convinced that she is both suitable and capable of leading the Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Bureau. In the period ahead, the bureau’s paramount responsibility will be to take the lead, under the direction of the Chief Executive, in co-ordinating and compiling Hong Kong’s first five-year plan,” he said.

“This five-year plan is of great significance to Hong Kong’s future development,” he added.

“In her various roles within the Government, Miss Tse was frequently responsible for compiling and scrutinising important reports. I am confident that, under the leadership of the Chief Executive, she will be able to guide the bureau’s staff in successfully fulfilling the task of co-ordinating the compilation of Hong Kong’s five-year plan.”

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The Wistron Corp. held the “Wistron Kaohsiung R&D Building phase I construction ground breaking ceremony” in the Kaohsiung Ciajhen Technology Industrial Park (CTIP) on March 2 2026. The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) stated that this project had been an important milestone for the Wistron’s 3-stages investment promotion program. The total investment amounted to NT$2.4 billion within a dormitory and 2 industrial R&D Office Buildings. When the building was finished, it is estimated to create 3,000 job opportunities injecting new momentum for the southern high-level R&D industry.
Chien-Hsin Lai, MOEA Vice Minister, pointed out that the government is dedicated to optimizing investment environment, providing comprehensive support for water and power supply, AI application, industrial transformation consulting, and assisting enterprises facing the impact of U.S. Tariffs, and is putting all efforts to work with Kaohsiung City Government’s developing blueprint at the same time. The Vice Minister emphasized, especially in his remark that the connection and practice of enterprises is essential for a sound environment. He recognized that Wistron has regionally rooted through practical actions, not only strengthens the enterprise’s competitive, but driving the transformation of the related industrial chain and flourishing the R&D momentum in Kaohsiung, showcasing the determination of co-prosperity between central, local, and enterprises.
The Bureau of Industrial Parks explained that the subjective building is Phase II of the first industrial R&D building, designed as an 11-story building above the ground with 2 basements. It is estimated that the building will be completed in December 2028. The Phase I dormitory was completed in April 2025 and has begun operation, providing 218 studio apartments and 1,308 bedspaces. The occupancy rate is around 80%, which apparently showcases the improvement in amenities. In the future, after the inauguration of the first R&D building, phase III of the second R&D building construction will launch in sequence to gradually expand the southern R&D layout.
Reviewing Wistron’s Kaohsiung layout in recent years, addition to this 3-stages investment program with NT$2.4 billion, it also invested smart technology plant in the park to strengthen ability of high-level display application by acquisition, gradually forms an industrial system which co-toward manufacture and R&D. It has become a demonstrated meaning due to overall planning while spaces upgrade and talents cultivate while R&D upgrade at the same time.
Along with the groundbreaking of the R&D building, CTIP is moving toward a high-level technology cluster. The program not only raised the park’s land use efficiency and industrial value but also provided more high-level job opportunities for southern talents, establishing a new technical landmark and giving a fresh start to industrial transformation.
The Wistron President and CEO, Jeff Lin, MOEA Vice Minister Chien-Hsin Lai, Kaohsiung City Government Mayor Chi-Mai Chen, and Legislator Rui-Long Lai were present to jointly witness.

Spokesman: Mr. Liu Chi-Chuan (Deputy Director General, BIP)
Contact Number: 886-7-3613349, 0911363680
Email: lcc12@bip.gov.tw

Contact Person: Yu, Shu-Hui (Director of Kaohsiung-Pingtung Branch, BIP)
Contact Number: 886-7-823-9301
Email: yush@bip.gov.tw

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government Flying Service Aviation Inspiration International Academy (GAIIA) has been established, marking Hong Kong’s first aviation initiative to unite the eight universities funded by the University Grants Committee, to provide aviation professional training for young people and inspire them to serve the city with their aviation expertise.

Officiating at the inauguration ceremony today, Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung said Hong Kong’s strategic importance as an aviation gateway continues to grow as the city deepens its integration with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

He pointed out that the academy arrives at precisely the right moment, grooming dedicated professionals for maintaining Hong Kong’s competitive edge, further excelling Hong Kong’s public aviation service, while contributing to the broader development of the nation’s aviation capabilities.

The academy connects the youth with the aviation industry through the Government Flying Service (GFS) professional resources and operational expertise. It also offers students exposure to search and rescue, emergency medical services, hill fire-fighting, law enforcement support, etc.

Over 500 teachers and students from local, Mainland and international universities joined the ceremony.

The GFS also held an open day at its Kai Tak Division today to promote National Security Education Day.

The event aims to raise public awareness of national security and deepen their understanding of GFS services, as well as its work and achievements in safeguarding national security.

More than 1,600 visitors joined the open day, including Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong and Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung.

Interactive exhibition boards, national security-themed game booths, virtual-reality and augmented-reality games, as well as a discovery zone hosted by the GAIIA, were set up to give members of the public a better understanding of the GFS’ operation. 

The concluding performance featured a helicopter search-and-rescue flight demonstration, which simulated a maritime rescue operation, to illustrate emergency response efforts by the GFS during life-saving missions. 

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki will lead the research task force set up by the Working Group on Planning & Construction of the University Town under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis to visit Zhejiang, Beijing, and the Xiong’an New Area in Hebei tomorrow.

The delegation will conduct site visits to local higher education infrastructure and exchange views with university experts and scholars on their successful experiences and development strategies, to efficiently advance the construction of the Northern Metropolis University Town.

Members of the delegation include Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin, Chief Executive’s Policy Unit Head Stephen Wong, Under Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Bernard Chan, Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office Director Linda So and representatives from other working group members.

The delegation will tour local higher education campuses and university towns and exchange views with officials, experts and scholars on the operation and development, and the industry-education collaboration of the campuses.

In addition, the delegation will visit the local Department of Education and exchange views on strengthening education co-operation.

Mr Chan and Ms Choi will return to Hong Kong on Thursday and Friday respectively.

During Mr Chan’s absence, Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing will be Acting Chief Secretary. During Ms Choi’s absence, Under Secretary for Education Sze Chun-fai will be Acting Secretary.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Police today announced that the issuance service of the Certificate of No Criminal Conviction (CNCC) will be further enhanced from tomorrow, in which eligible applicants may complete the application procedure without the need to submit fingerprints.

The issuance of the CNCC is a charged service provided by the Police Force, solely for the purpose of applications for various types of visas, such as visit, student or resident visas, or for the adoption of children.

Currently, all applicants are required to schedule appointments for fingerprinting at the CNCC Office or nine designated police stations.

From tomorrow, if an applicant is submitting the application via the Hong Kong Police Force Online Applications Platform using their “iAM Smart” account and the purpose of the application is not related to matters concerning children or mentally incapacitated persons, the application procedure can be completed without submitting fingerprints. The processing time will be reduced to 15 days from 28 days.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Ms Lui, an Old Age Living Allowance recipient aged 66, is a participant in the Community Dental Support Programme (CDSP). This allows her to visit a dental clinic and receive a check-up, which includes scaling and X-ray assessments.

Launched by the Government in collaboration with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the programme provides subsidised dental services to financially underprivileged members of the community.

Financial relief

Ms Lui has long been troubled by dental cavities and diastema. She previously received treatment on the private sector but found that the fees were prohibitively expensive. As a St James’ Settlement service recipient, she learned about the CDSP through a social worker and successfully applied to enrol in it.

“The programme has really helped relieve my financial burden. The dentist here also explained in great detail how I should take care of my teeth.”

Encouraging participation

St James’ Settlement Senior Manager Mandy Au Yeung explained that the organisation’s staff proactively enquire about service users’ circumstances. If they meet the eligibility criteria, they are urged to apply to join the programme.

The NGO also displays leaflets and posters at its two dental clinics and various service units to raise awareness of the programme and encourage people to recommend it to potential beneficiaries.

Expanding scope

Department of Health Community Dental Service Senior Dental Officer Dr Rico Chu said the Government aims to encourage prevention, early identification and timely intervention when it comes to dental diseases, thereby enhancing both oral health and general health among citizens. As of March 4, more than 10,000 eligible persons had received subsidised dental services via the CDSP. This included inserting 14,035 dental fillings and conducting 4,939 extractions.

From the beginning of this year, the programme has been expanded to cover four additional services, namely dental scaling, root canal treatments, the removal of bridges and crowns, and fittings of removable dentures. Coverage has also been extended to include homeless individuals.

“With the new services and expansion of the service beneficiaries, we are expecting to provide an additional service capacity of about 40,000 participants each year, further enhancing dental services for the underprivileged with financial difficulties and expanding the scope of subsidised preventive and curative dental service.” 

Costs shared

The programme adopts a cost-sharing model that takes into account the affordability of services to users while also recognising the need to encourage personal responsibility in health management. Treatment plans are devised with regard to actual clinical needs and the feasibility of treatments.

Currently, the programme operates more than 80 service points, run by 32 different NGOs. The Government will continue to monitor service usage and demand, and will periodically review the programme.