Month: June 2026

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The European Union and Taiwan hold the eighth Human Rights Consultations

Date：2026-04-27
Data Source：Department of European Affairs

April 27, 2026  
No. 163  

The European Union and Taiwan held the eighth Human Rights Consultations on 24 April in Brussels. 

The frank and constructive consultations provided a valuable platform to update each other on respective human rights situation and review developments in law, policies and actions made over the past year. The EU and Taiwan reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting and protecting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. 

The EU reaffirmed its longstanding opposition to the death penalty, in all cases and all circumstances, and called upon Taiwan to apply a durable de facto moratorium on executions, to guarantee full legal and procedural safeguards and to adopt a consistent and sustained path towards the complete abolition of the death penalty in Taiwan.  

The consultations allowed the EU to address specific human rights issues, such as the need to promote and protect the rights of migrant workers, especially in the fishing industry, and those of domestic workers. The EU and Taiwan also discussed business and human rights, gender equality, digital human rights and media freedom.

The consultations confirmed the importance of promoting, protecting and fulfilling universal human rights and abiding by international human rights norms. 

The EU and Taiwan agreed to continue exchanges and cooperation on human rights, in particular on the issues raised during the consultations.

The meeting was co-chaired on EU side by Ellis Mathews, Head of Human Rights Division and Nicoletta Pusterla, Acting Head of Division for China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Mongolia, and Minister without Portfolio Ming-Hsin Lin for Taiwan.

Ahead of the Human Rights Consultations, on 9 April, the EU held a dedicated meeting with Taiwan civil society organizations on the human rights situation in Taiwan.（E）

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA welcomes US congressional delegation led by Chairman Nunn of the RSC National Security Task Force

Date：2026-04-06
Data Source：Department of North American Affairs

April 6, 2026  
No. 128  

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung extends a sincere welcome to the US congressional delegation led by Zach Nunn (R-IA), Chairman of the Republican Study Committee (RSC) National Security Task Force of the US House of Representatives. Noting that the delegation’s visit, which runs from April 5 to 11, coincides with the 47th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, Minister Lin thanks the US Congress for its long-standing, concrete support of Taiwan.
 
The delegation also includes Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI), Julie Fedorchak (R-ND), and Jefferson Shreve (R-IN). During their stay, they will meet with President Lai Ching-te and high-level government officials to exchange views on such issues as Taiwan-US relations, regional security, economic and trade cooperation, and the situation across the Taiwan Strait. 
 
The RSC is the largest conservative caucus in the US House of Representatives. The National Security Task Force, responsible for national security policy issues within the RSC, focuses on the core principle of peace through strength to address national security challenges posed by countries such as China, Russia, and Iran. 
 
Chairman Nunn has long paid close attention to Taiwan-US security cooperation and economic exchanges. Last year, together with bipartisan members of Congress, he co-introduced Taiwan-friendly legislation, including the Fortifying US Markets From Chinese Military Aggression Act and the US-Taiwan Defense Innovation Partnership Act, demonstrating his firm stance on promoting bilateral cooperation and countering threats from China.
 
Minister Lin states that Taiwan and the United States are important economic and trade partners steadily deepening cooperation in such domains as security, technology, and supply chain resilience. Building on this solid foundation, Taiwan will continue to advance its mutually beneficial partnership with the United States and work hand in hand with the United States and other like-minded countries to jointly safeguard peace, stability, and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA welcomes Australian and German defense ministers’ joint statement supporting cross-strait peace and stability

Date：2026-03-28
Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

March 28, 2026  
No. 117  

Following the Australia-Germany defense ministers’ meeting on March 26, the two countries issued a joint statement emphasizing the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and opposing unilateral actions that alter the status quo. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes and affirms this statement.

Taiwan, Australia, and Germany are like-minded countries that share the common values of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. The joint statement once again demonstrates that maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, the South China Sea, and the Indo-Pacific region has become an international consensus. Taiwan will continue to work with like-minded countries to safeguard the rules-based international order and jointly promote democracy, peace, and prosperity in the region. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

May 13, 2026  No. 206  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) once again condemns and protests in the strongest terms and expresses deep dissatisfaction over China’s bid to maliciously suppress Taiwan’s participation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. China is disregarding APEC norms and long-standing best practices and violating its own commitments of 2024, when it was seeking to be the host economy for 2026. Earlier, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office had stated that Taiwan’s participation in APEC would be handled according to the so-called “one China principle” and related APEC memorandums of understanding and practices. China’s actions have disrupted harmony within APEC and highlighted its domineering and authoritative nature.MOFA emphasizes that the text of the memorandum of understanding on Taiwan’s accession to APEC, signed in 1991, did not mention a “one China principle.” It did, however, state clearly that Taiwan would participate in APEC meetings and activities on an equal basis with other member economies. Regarding the MOU signed in relation to China’s accession to the organization, APEC merely took note of China’s so-called “one China principle” and its position that there is a distinction between sovereign states and regional economies. However, APEC did not express agreement with or acceptance of such a stance.At the joint request of Taiwan and like-minded countries, China provided explicit and written assurance in 2024 regarding the safety of participants from all member economies and their smooth entry into and exit from China for APEC meetings. All member economies, including China, supported the inclusion of the following text in joint ministerial statements issued following APEC Ministerial Meetings in 2024 and 2025: “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.” As the host economy for APEC 2026, China is obliged to fulfill its commitments and adhere to consensus decisions made by all member economies.MOFA reiterates that following World War II, the Treaty of San Francisco—which has the force of international law—replaced political declarations such as the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation. The treaty did not grant sovereignty over Taiwan to the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and the PRC has never governed Taiwan. Therefore, Taiwan is by no means part of the PRC.Moreover, in the mid-1980s, Taiwan began a bottom-up transition toward political liberalization and democratization, culminating in its first direct presidential election in 1996. Since then, the representatives of the executive and legislative branches of the Republic of China (Taiwan) government have all been democratically elected by the people of Taiwan, making the ROC (Taiwan) government the sole lawful government that effectively governs and represents Taiwan internationally. This has also established the objective fact that the ROC (Taiwan) and the PRC exist as equals and the status quo that neither is subordinate to the other. Further, Taiwan has experienced three changes of governing party—in 2000, 2008, and 2016. The continued consolidation of Taiwan’s democratic system and sense of identity reflects the Taiwan people’s staunch belief in and unwavering commitment to the pursuit of freedom and democracy. Therefore, only Taiwan’s democratically elected government can represent the 23 million people of Taiwan at multilateral events and mechanisms such as APEC. China has no right to interfere or comment.MOFA firmly demands that China carry out its duties as APEC host economy satisfactorily and comply with the core principle of equal participation of all member economies; fulfill its commitments properly in accordance with APEC guidelines, norms, and practices; and take concrete steps to ensure the equal involvement by Taiwan’s participants in this year’s APEC meetings and activities taking place in China. Taiwan will not accept any political maneuvering aimed at undermining or excluding its participation and will work with like-minded partners to oppose such moves. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA strongly refutes false claims regarding Taiwan in joint statement by China and Vietnam

Date：2026-04-17
Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

April 17, 2026  No. 150  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly refutes the false claims regarding Taiwan made in a joint statement released by China and Vietnam on April 15, including that Taiwan was an inseparable part of Chinese territory.
 
The joint statement, on deepening the two countries’ comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, was issued following a meeting on the same day between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam.
 
MOFA solemnly reiterates that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a free and democratic nation, and that neither it nor the autocratic People’s Republic of China (PRC) is subordinate to the other. These are long-standing and widely recognized objective facts in the international community, which also constitute the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. 
 
The PRC has never ruled Taiwan, and Taiwan is certainly not part of the PRC. Only the democratically elected government of Taiwan has the right to represent the people of Taiwan in the international arena, including the United Nations system. China and countries echoing its claims have no right to comment on such matters.
 
MOFA strongly condemns the Chinese government’s repeated efforts to issue false narratives to undermine Taiwan’s sovereignty and mislead the international community at its meetings with leaders of other countries. Vietnam and China jointly issued a statement unfriendly to Taiwan in August 2024. Following that, Taiwan and Vietnam made efforts to stabilize bilateral relations. However, Vietnam has once again aligned with China in issuing a statement to undermine Taiwan’s sovereignty. MOFA has expressed deep regret and dissatisfaction to the government of Vietnam.
 
MOFA once again calls on related countries to refrain from ignoring historical facts and to take into account China’s totalitarian and autocratic nature so as to avoid echoing Chinese claims that distort the truth, undermine Taiwan’s sovereignty, or seek to justify authoritarian expansionism. The international community should work together to prevent the instability and the risk of conflict that arise from such claims.
 
Taiwan will continue to defend the values of freedom and democracy and strengthen cooperation with its partners in the democratic camp to jointly curb authoritarian expansionism, safeguard cross-strait peace and security, and maintain freedom, openness, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

ROC (Taiwan) government expresses deepest condolences on passing of former Marshall Islands President Kabua

Date：2026-04-17
Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

April 17, 2026  No. 149  On behalf of the government and people of the ROC (Taiwan), Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung conveys his deepest sympathies to the Republic of the Marshall Islands—a Pacific ally of Taiwan—on the loss of Senator and former President David Kabua. He passed away on April 8 in Honolulu, Hawaii, aged 74. Minister Lin also promptly sent a letter of condolence to his widow, Mrs. Ginger Kabua.Former President Kabua was a staunch supporter of Taiwan-Marshall Islands diplomatic ties. He actively advocated Taiwan’s international participation and visited Taiwan on numerous occasions, demonstrating his steadfast and abiding friendship. He was also a figure of great distinction and prestige in the Marshall Islands. While his passing is a profound loss, the legacy of his character and his contributions to Taiwan and the Marshall Islands will endure. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA strongly condemns absurd claims by China’s Taiwan Affairs Office regarding President Lai’s upcoming visit to Eswatini

Date：2026-04-16
Data Source：Department of Policy Planning

April 16, 2026  
No. 147  
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) solemnly reiterates that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent nation and that neither it nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other. Foreign visits by Taiwan’s president are a common occurrence and align with international practices. China has no right to comment on such matters. President Lai Ching-te is the democratically elected head of state of the ROC (Taiwan), making it even more inappropriate for China to maliciously disparage his overseas travel.
 
Taiwan has the right to freely choose to engage and develop ties with other countries. It will not accept any interference or suppression from other countries for any reason, nor will it succumb to intimidation and impose limits on its own international engagement. Despite the expansionism and intensifying coercion of authoritarian governments, Taiwan will not cower. Instead, it will continue to confidently interact with the world.
 
China has fiercely and relentlessly tried to diplomatically isolate Taiwan and undermine Taiwan’s international legal personality. This has not only impeded the positive development of cross-strait relations but also undermined the interests of the people of Taiwan. MOFA urges Beijing to immediately cease engaging in such actions, causing trouble in the international community, and sabotaging cross-strait relations. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Special Envoy and Foreign Minister Lin leads trade and investment delegation to Marshall Islands, bolstering diplomatic ties and bilateral cooperation

Date：2026-04-07
Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

April 7, 2026  
No. 132  

At the invitation of the government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands—one of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies in the Pacific—Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung, serving as special envoy of President Lai Ching-te, is leading a trade and investment delegation to the Marshall Islands from April 7 to 9. 

The delegation includes Hu Chi-chuan, Deputy Director General of the International Trade Administration of the Ministry of Economic Affairs; Tsai Shu-chen, Deputy Director General of the Food and Drug Administration of the Ministry of Health and Welfare; Shyy Li-jun, Deputy Secretary General of the International Cooperation and Development Fund; and members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs drone diplomacy task force. The delegation also comprises over 60 representatives from Taiwan’s fisheries, shipping, cold-chain logistics, medical devices, food processing, clean energy, and ICT industries. 

The delegation aims to leverage public-private partnerships and a model of larger enterprises leading smaller ones to match more Taiwanese businesses with investment opportunities in the Marshall Islands and thereby advance the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project.

Furthermore, to implement the Taiwan-Marshall Islands economic cooperation agreement, which entered into force on January 15, 2025, the first preparatory consultation for the agreement and a Marshall Islands investment opportunities briefing will be held, opening a new chapter in the expansion of bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

During his stay, Special Envoy Lin will meet with Marshall Islands President Hilda C. Heine, Nitijela Speaker Brenson Wase, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Kalani Kaneko, other prominent political figures, and traditional leaders. The trip will also include visits to important sites of bilateral cooperation projects, such as the Majuro Track and Field Stadium (Micronesian Games host venue), the Majuro Hospital AI and Telemedicine Center, and a poultry farm. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to EU and Republic of Korea reiterating importance of peace and stability across Taiwan Strait at second EU-ROK Strategic Dialogue

January 23, 2026High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union Kaja Kallas and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea Cho Hyun jointly held the second EU-ROK Strategic Dialogue in Brussels on January 22. During the talks, the two sides reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and their strong opposition to any unilateral attempts in the South China Sea to change the status quo by force or coercion, stating that this could undermine regional stability and the international rules-based order. The European Union (EU) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) also reiterated their condemnation of third-country support for Russia’s illegal war of aggression in Ukraine.Following the first EU-ROK Strategic Dialogue, this marks another instance of the EU and the ROK issuing a joint statement underscoring the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes and appreciates the statement. Facing authoritarian expansionism, which threatens regional peace, Taiwan, as a responsible member of the democratic alliance in the Indo-Pacific region, will continue to strengthen cooperation with such like-minded partners as the EU to jointly defend the values of freedom and democracy and uphold the international rules-based order.
 

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

April 27, 2026  No.164  Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung, serving in the capacity of special presidential envoy, completed a successful two-day visit to the Kingdom of Eswatini on April 26 after being seen off at the airport by Eswatini Minister of Foreign Affairs Pholile Shakantu, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo, and members of the Taiwanese overseas community.

During the final day of his visit, Minister Lin accompanied Eswatini Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula to inspect the operations of the Taiwan Medical Mission’s smart medicine clinic at Manzini Government Hospital.

Through collaboration with Taiwan’s International Integrated Systems, the Taipei Medical University Hospital-operated medical mission had relocated to Manzini Government Hospital over a period of just six months and successfully implemented digital queuing, smart medication dispensing, and telemedicine systems.

In remarks during his visit, Minister Lin said that Manzini Government Hospital was being elevated to the status of smart medicine demonstration hospital. He said that this symbolized the start of a new era of Taiwan-Eswatini cooperation on digitalization, optimization, and smart medicine.

In addition to acclaiming upgrades to hardware, Minister Lin also emphasized the results of talent cultivation. Giving words of encouragement to a number of Eswatini physicians who had returned home after graduating from I-Shou University, Minister Lin said that their white coats represented their expertise and the hope of their nation. He said that he looked forward to seeing them become seeds of Taiwan-Eswatini friendship and employ their professionalism and dedication to refine Eswatini’s healthcare system.

Minister Matsebula and Dr. Candice Banda, a representative of the graduates of I-Shou University’s medical program, expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Taiwan for its long-term support and contributions to public health and medicine in Eswatini.

Minister Lin also went on to tour the Taiwan-Eswatini Aquaculture Research and Production Centre, which was officially opened in 2025. Through large-scale fish fry cultivation and the use of growth optimization technology, the center has successfully assisted Eswatini in transitioning from traditional family-based aquaculture to a more commercially scaled industrial system, significantly improving the economic value of aquaculture produce.

In addition, Minister Lin visited a demonstration farm and orchard to observe the results of planting such high-value crops as guava, dragon fruit, and strawberry. These operations have successfully driven the transformation of Eswatini’s agricultural makeup and enabled local farmers to participate and compete in higher-profit markets.

Minister Lin stressed that a core feature of all these initiatives was a focus on sustainable advancements and the commercialization of Eswatini’s industries. Noting that such efforts pursued their objectives through a “Taiwan can help, Eswatini can lead” approach, Minister Lin reiterated that Taiwan would continue to reinforce Eswatini’s leadership in a range of fields. 

Despite the brevity and challenging circumstances of his two-day visit, Minister Lin was able to personally convey Taiwan’s good wishes to Eswatini. His visit further deepened the two nations’ friendship and put their vision for sustainable and prosperous development on an even firmer footing. Moreover, it showed that Taiwan would remain undeterred by any difficulties in its global interactions, and demonstrated Taiwan’s unwavering resolve and resilience in engaging with the world. (E)