Month: April 2026

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

January 14, 2026  
No. 013  

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung held a banquet on the evening of January 13 to welcome a delegation led by Mayor Kate Gallego of the US city of Phoenix, Arizona. In addition to meeting with President Lai Ching-te and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, the delegation will call at the Tainan City and Taipei City governments and engage in exchanges with representatives of Taiwan’s high-tech industries, advancing bilateral economic and trade cooperation and exploring opportunities for further collaboration.
 
During his remarks at the banquet, Minister Lin said that Taiwan’s key advantages in such high-tech industries as semiconductors, AI, and advanced manufacturing allowed it to play a crucial role in global supply chains and serve as a trustworthy, cooperative partner to the United States in the domain of science and technology. Noting that Phoenix and the state of Arizona had become a significant focus for Taiwanese enterprises in recent years, he said that bilateral cooperation in the high-tech sector continued to expand.
 
Minister Lin went on to welcome Starlux Airlines’ launch of direct flights from Taipei to Phoenix, which he said would facilitate smoother flows of people, goods, and capital and thereby strengthen industrial links. He added that Taiwan and Phoenix would continue to promote industrial cooperation and talent exchanges, deepening their bilateral partnership and building even more resilient high-tech supply chains.
 
Also speaking at the banquet, Mayor Gallego thanked the government of Taiwan for its invitation and said that her visit, coming at an important moment in the development of Taiwan-US cooperation in the high-tech sector, demonstrated the close ties between Taiwan and Phoenix. She said that following Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s announcement of a US$165 billion investment, Phoenix would continue to work with Taiwan to deepen high-tech collaboration and ensure supply chain resilience.
 
Mayor Gallego also said that she looked forward to both sides continuing to promote cooperation on education, training, and youth exchanges, as well as exploring opportunities for collaboration in such cutting-edge fields as aerospace, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals. She said that this would allow people on both sides to share in the fruits of cooperation.
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) welcomes the delegation led by Mayor Gallego as she makes her third visit to Taiwan. MOFA looks forward to working with Phoenix and the state of Arizona to deepen the existing partnership and jointly promote supply chain resilience, industrial cooperation, and bilateral investment, together advancing the steady development of Taiwan-US economic and trade relations. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

March 24, 2026  
No. 111  A cross-party group of US senators on March 23 cosponsored a resolution commending Taiwan on the 30th anniversary of its first direct presidential election and reiterating support for US policy toward Taiwan based on the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances. The group included Senators Tammy Duckworth, John Curtis, and Tim Kaine, Ranking Member of the US Senate Committee on Armed Services’ Subcommittee on Seapower.
 
The resolution states that Taiwan has demonstrated the strength of its democratic system through multiple peaceful transfers of political power, that the people of Taiwan have shown resilience and steadfast commitment to democratic values despite China’s ongoing coercion and threats, and that Taiwan has set an example for the Pacific and the world.
 
It also emphasizes that Taiwan’s democracy is a great strategic strength for the free world and a key component of strong and enduring Taiwan-US relations; that Taiwan’s democracy and respect for the rule of law contribute to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region; and that the US Senate is committed to supporting Taiwan’s self-defense and the liberty of its people. 
 
The resolution was cosponsored by numerous other members of both parties, namely, Ted Cruz, Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Pete Ricketts, Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations’ Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy; Rick Scott, Chair of the Senate Committee on Armed Services’ Subcommittee on Seapower; and Senators Jeff Merkley, Chris Van Hollen, Michael Bennet, John Fetterman, and Jacky Rosen.
 
The US Congress previously introduced a resolution on the eve of Taiwan’s presidential election in 2024 affirming Taiwan’s democratic achievements. The Senate’s further public display of support for Taiwan’s democratic society on the 30th anniversary of its first direct presidential election is highly significant.
 
On the same day, many other prominent cross-party members of the US Congress publicly expressed congratulations on this important milestone in Taiwan’s democracy, including Jim Risch, Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations; Roger Wicker, Chair of the Senate Committee on Armed Forces; and Ami Bera and Mario Diaz-Balart, Cochairs of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus.
 
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung appreciates the US Congress once again affirming Taiwan’s democratic achievements and thanks the United States for its long-standing, bipartisan support of Taiwan’s democracy, freedom, and security through concrete actions.
 
As Taiwan marks this noteworthy anniversary, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to cooperate with the United States and other global democratic partners and welcomes the international community’s ongoing support for democratic Taiwan through concrete actions as part of efforts to jointly promote regional peace, stability, and prosperity. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Foreign Minister Lin meets with delegation led by member of Japanese House of Representatives and former Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato

Date：2026-01-15
Data Source：TAIWAN-JAPAN RELATIONS ASSOCIATION

January 15, 2026  
No. 016  

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung on January 15 met with member of the Japanese House of Representatives and former Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato. The delegation also included Representative Kosaburo Nishime, who formerly served as minister of reconstruction, and Representative Junji Fukuhara. The two sides engaged in exchanges on such issues as the regional situation, economic security and resilience, and Taiwan-Japan interactions.
 
In his remarks during the meeting, Minister Lin began by welcoming Representative Kato and the delegation. Thanking Mr. Kato for helping facilitate Japan’s donation of vaccines to Taiwan during the COVID-19 pandemic during his tenure as chief cabinet secretary, Minister Lin said that the Taiwanese people remained deeply grateful for this gesture. He also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the government of Japan for having emphasized the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait at key international forums on numerous occasions.
 
Minister Lin went on to state that he looked forward to Taiwan and Japan signing a free trade agreement and economic partnership agreement at the earliest possible juncture, as well as Japan assisting in Taiwan’s timely accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, which he said would deepen the two countries’ economic partnership and help them jointly advance regional prosperity. Adding that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s focus on the growth of 17 strategic sectors enjoyed many similarities with President Lai Ching-te’s Five Trusted Industry Sectors, he said he hoped that Taiwan and Japan would continue to deepen cooperation and exchanges in related fields.
 
During his remarks, Representative Kato observed that Taiwan and Japan were important partners that shared universal values. Noting that true friendship is demonstrated in times of adversity, Mr. Kato thanked Taiwan for its assistance following the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes and for providing Japan with medical masks, pulse oximeters, oxygen concentrators, and other medical equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic. He added that he had been delighted to learn that more than six million visits had been made to Japan by Taiwanese travelers in 2024 and that this number had risen further by 10 percent in 2025. He said he believed that personal and economic exchanges between Taiwan and Japan would grow even closer moving forward.
 
This is Representative Kato’s first visit to Taiwan. Mr. Kato is an influential figure who has long occupied a central role in Japanese politics. In addition to previously serving as chief cabinet secretary under Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, he has also held such posts as minister of health, labour and welfare and minister of finance. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Foreign Minister Lin meets with delegation from Japanese House of Councillors

Date：2025-12-23
Data Source：TAIWAN-JAPAN RELATIONS ASSOCIATION

December 23, 2025No. 542Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung on December 22 met with a delegation from the Japanese House of Councillors’ Taiwan friendship group (TY Group) led by Councillor Hirofumi Takinami. They exchanged views on such issues as promoting Taiwan-Japan cooperation in third countries, disaster prevention, and economic and trade cooperation.In his remarks, Minister Lin began by welcoming Mr. Takinami and thanking him for once again leading members of the friendship group to Taiwan. Noting that Taiwan and Japan were both situated at key positions along the first island chain and faced pressure from China, Minister Lin said that the two countries maintained not only close security ties but also a staunch economic and trade partnership. He remarked that Taiwan and Japan shared complementary industrial frameworks and said that he hoped they would collaborate to jointly support national development in third countries. In addition, he observed that Taiwan and Japan both faced challenges posed by natural disasters and said that the two countries could deepen collaboration in disaster prevention so as to improve societal resilience.Moving on to discuss Taiwan’s involvement in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, Minister Lin pointed out that Taiwan had met the standards required for accession to the agreement. He said that he hoped Japan would continue to demonstrate leadership and assist in initiating Taiwan’s accession negotiations as soon as possible so as to jointly create regional prosperity.During his remarks, Mr. Takinami shared his experience of serving as the head of the household registration issues task force at the Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council, explaining that he had encouraged Japan’s Ministry of Justice to amend regulations to allow Taiwan to be listed as an option on Japanese household registration documents. He added that he was pleased to see growing support for Taiwan throughout the House of Councillors. Members of the delegation also exchanged views with Minister Lin on sports, cycling, and local exchanges between Taiwan and Japan.The TY Group is one of several Taiwan-friendly bodies in the House of Councillors. It sends regular annual delegations to Taiwan and works to advance its members’ understanding of the latest political and economic developments in Taiwan. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

US government officially notifies Taiwan of latest arms sale

Date：2025-12-18
Data Source：Department of North American Affairs

December 18, 2025  No. 534  

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has received official notification from the United States government that its executive branch has informed Congress of an arms sale to Taiwan totaling US$11.1 billion. The sale covers eight items: the Taiwan Tactical Network and Team Awareness Kit; AH-1W helicopter spare and repair parts and related equipment; M109A7 self-propelled howitzers; the additional procurement of high mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARS) and related equipment; the additional procurement of tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided (TOW) missiles; antiarmor UAV missile systems for the army; the Javelin missile system and related equipment; and Harpoon missile repair follow-on support and related equipment for the navy.
 
This is the second arms sale to Taiwan announced during the second Trump administration. The sale once again demonstrates the United States’ staunch dedication to fulfilling its security commitments to Taiwan in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances. It continues a policy of normalized arms sales to Taiwan, assisting Taiwan in maintaining sufficient self-defense capabilities and building a strong deterrent force.
 
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung welcomes the sale and extends sincere gratitude to the United States for its long-standing support for regional security and for Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities. Minister Lin also appreciates that the United States is taking concrete action to reflect the importance that its latest National Security Strategy places on Taiwan’s strategic position and on strengthening Taiwan’s military capabilities so as to deter conflict across the Taiwan Strait.
 
MOFA emphasizes that, in the face of China’s frequent military activities and acts of gray-zone provocation and harassment throughout the region, Taiwan has upheld its dedication to peace and freedom and will continue to enhance national defense and demonstrate its firm resolve to defend itself. Taiwan will also continue to deepen cooperation with the United States and other security partners and bolster its defense capabilities and resilience. It welcomes concrete actions by the international community to jointly advance peace, stability, and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and throughout the region. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA thanks Thailand and Vietnam for concern over Taiwan Strait peace and stability and support for maintaining status quo

Date：2025-11-28
Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

November 28, 2025No. 509  In separate public statements, the governments of Thailand and Vietnam recently expressed high concern regarding Taiwan Strait peace and stability. Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that cross-strait peace and stability were crucial both to ASEAN and to Thailand and urged all parties to manage the situation with prudence.Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that peace, stability, and cooperation in the Taiwan Strait were of significance to the region and the world and said it hoped that all relevant parties would actively contribute to regional peace and development.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) commends these statements by the governments of Thailand and Vietnam.MOFA believes that the proclamations issued by the governments of Thailand and Vietnam expressing the above positions reflect the objective reality of China’s recent high-pressure coercion of Japan and show that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait have become important security issues in the Indo-Pacific. Indeed, maintaining the status quo is the general expectation of the international community, which sees this as key to preserving regional stability. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will continue to cooperate with like-minded nations to jointly uphold the rules-based international order.Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung states that Taiwan Strait security is crucial to regional and global stability. The international community’s close attention to this matter demonstrates that sustaining peace across the Taiwan Strait has become a widespread consensus among nations. Taiwan will continue to promote integrated diplomacy and work with like-minded partners in Southeast Asia and around the world to safeguard peace, stability, and prosperity throughout the Indo-Pacific. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA urges South Korea to promptly correct inappropriate designation for Taiwan in electronic entry system

Date：2026-03-24
Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

March 24, 2026No. 112The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the Taipei Mission in Korea continue to express their profound concerns and engage in dialogue and negotiations with South Korea regarding the inappropriate designation for Taiwan in the previous departure place and next destination fields in South Korea’s electronic entry system. MOFA publicly calls on South Korea to respond to this matter by March 31.MOFA states that if South Korea fails to provide a positive response by the specified date, the country’s English designation in the drop-down menus for the place of birth and place of residence fields on the Taiwan Arrival Card will be changed from Korea, Republic of to KOREA (SOUTH) effective April 1. This will be done in accordance with Taiwan’s firm position of safeguarding national dignity and upholding the principle of reciprocity.MOFA emphasizes that the peoples of Taiwan and South Korea have long enjoyed close and friendly interactions in such domains as the economy, trade, culture, tourism, and personnel exchanges. Taiwan greatly values this hard-won friendship and, on the basis of mutual respect and reciprocity, hopes that South Korea will take Taiwan’s request seriously and promptly rectify the situation to maintain the positive development of bilateral relations. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA strongly condemns false narrative regarding Taiwan published by Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

Date：2026-01-07
Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

January 7, 2026 No. 009In a statement on current developments concerning the “Taiwan issue” published on December 31, the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said that Taiwan was an inalienable part of China’s territory; that Cambodia considered issues related to Taiwan an internal affair of the People’s Republic of China (PRC); and that it supported China’s effort to achieve “national reunification” while opposing any form of “Taiwan independence.” Such false and absurd claims gravely contradict reality.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) deeply regrets the Cambodian government’s submission to China’s authoritarian actions at the end of 2025, when China conducted military exercises around Taiwan, and strongly condemns Cambodia for disseminating absurd remarks that denigrate Taiwan’s sovereignty.MOFA reiterates that neither the ROC (Taiwan) nor the PRC is subordinate to the other; that the Chinese Communist Party has never governed Taiwan; and that no country has the right or power to deny the objective fact of Taiwan’s existence. MOFA calls on Cambodia to stop disregarding reality, blindly following China, and endorsing intentionally aggressive rhetoric or deeds that undermine regional peace and stability.MOFA emphasizes that Taiwan is willing to cooperate with all nations that support freedom, democracy, and human rights. Taiwan will work with such nations to constrain the expansion of authoritarianism, safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and maintain freedom and stability throughout the Indo-Pacific region. (E)

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

December 31, 2025No. 548The European External Action Service (EEAS) and the foreign ministries of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany each issued statements on December 30 indicating serious concern over China’s recent large-scale joint military exercises around Taiwan. The statements stressed that cross-strait peace and stability were critical to global peace and prosperity and expressed opposition to any unilateral actions that increased cross-strait tensions. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung expresses sincere gratitude for these statements, which once again demonstrate Europe’s staunch support of cross-strait peace and stability.The EEAS statement pointed out that the European Union had a direct interest in the preservation of the cross-strait status quo and that cross-strait peace and stability were of strategic importance to regional and global security and prosperity. Therefore, it continued, the EU opposed any unilateral actions that changed the status quo, in particular by force or coercion. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office statement, meanwhile, underscored that cross-strait peace was critical to global prosperity and the UK economy and that the UK opposed the use of force or coercion in the Taiwan Strait or any unilateral attempt to alter the status quo. In its statement, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs noted that cross-strait peace and stability were indispensable for global security and prosperity. It further stated that France was paying close attention to China’s military exercises and reiterated France’s support for cross-strait peace and stability and its opposition to the use of force or coercion to unilaterally change the cross-strait status quo. The German Federal Foreign Office statement stressed that China’s military exercises had exacerbated cross-strait tensions and had jeopardized cross-strait stability. Moreover, it said that cross-strait peace and stability were strategically important for regional and international security and prosperity and that any change to the status quo must be peaceful and agreed to by both sides. It also called for restraint and dialogue.Minister Lin expresses welcome and thanks for these friendly statements of support by the EU and key European countries. He notes that these statements fully demonstrate Europe’s high degree of concern about China’s improper use of military exercises to unilaterally increase cross-strait tensions. They also show that Europe staunchly supports the cross-strait status quo of peace and stability. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stresses that the international community has a high degree of consensus about maintaining the cross-strait status quo of peace and stability. It calls on China to immediately cease its irresponsible, unilateral military provocations, respect the rules-based international order, and stop disrupting cross-strait and regional peace, stability, and security. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will continue to work with the EU and like-minded countries to jointly safeguard the rules-based international order and promote global and regional peace, stability, and prosperity. (E)