MOFA solemnly refutes false claims regarding Taiwan in joint statement by China and Russia

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA solemnly refutes false claims regarding Taiwan in joint statement by China and Russia

Date:2026-05-21
Data Source:Department of West Asian and African Affairs

May 21, 2026    
No. 222  

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly refutes false claims made in a joint statement between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Russian Federation. The statement, signed on May 20, misleadingly refers to United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, with Russia reiterating its adherence to the so-called “one China principle.” These claims contradict the facts and seek to undermine Taiwan’s sovereignty.
 
MOFA also expresses great regret at the PRC government engaging in international collusion to further disseminate erroneous narratives that denigrate Taiwan’s sovereignty and escalate tensions across the Taiwan Strait, and at Russia’s subservience to authoritarian China.
 
MOFA reiterates that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent country and that neither the ROC (Taiwan) nor the PRC is subordinate to the other. All attempts to distort Taiwan’s sovereign status are acts of bullying that disrupt international peace and stability. No number of falsehoods can alter the internationally recognized status quo across the Taiwan Strait.
 
MOFA appreciates that diplomatic allies and friendly countries continue to express concern over Taiwan Strait issues at international events and demonstrate firm positions in support of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan will continue to enhance its self-defense capabilities, build whole-of-society defense resilience, and work closely with such nations to jointly ensure freedom, openness, peace, and prosperity for Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific region. (E)

MOFA solemnly refutes false claims regarding Taiwan in joint statement by China and Russia

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA solemnly refutes false claims regarding Taiwan in joint statement by China and Russia

Date:2026-05-21
Data Source:Department of West Asian and African Affairs

May 21, 2026    
No. 222  

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly refutes false claims made in a joint statement between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Russian Federation. The statement, signed on May 20, misleadingly refers to United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, with Russia reiterating its adherence to the so-called “one China principle.” These claims contradict the facts and seek to undermine Taiwan’s sovereignty.
 
MOFA also expresses great regret at the PRC government engaging in international collusion to further disseminate erroneous narratives that denigrate Taiwan’s sovereignty and escalate tensions across the Taiwan Strait, and at Russia’s subservience to authoritarian China.
 
MOFA reiterates that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent country and that neither the ROC (Taiwan) nor the PRC is subordinate to the other. All attempts to distort Taiwan’s sovereign status are acts of bullying that disrupt international peace and stability. No number of falsehoods can alter the internationally recognized status quo across the Taiwan Strait.
 
MOFA appreciates that diplomatic allies and friendly countries continue to express concern over Taiwan Strait issues at international events and demonstrate firm positions in support of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan will continue to enhance its self-defense capabilities, build whole-of-society defense resilience, and work closely with such nations to jointly ensure freedom, openness, peace, and prosperity for Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific region. (E)

MOFA condemns China’s efforts to distort UNGA Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1 with regard to Taiwan’s participation in WHA

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA condemns China’s efforts to distort UNGA Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1 with regard to Taiwan’s participation in WHA

Date:2026-05-19
Data Source:Department of International Organizations

May 19, 2026  
No. 219  

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly condemns and protests China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for issuing yet another false and misleading statement on May 18 regarding Taiwan’s engagement in the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA). China has continued to politicize Taiwan’s participation, exposing international public health cooperation and disease prevention systems to high risks.
 
In attempting to put politics above public health interests, China has repeatedly made the false claim that Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization (WHO) requires its approval. It is common knowledge that United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1 only address the issue of China’s representation and do not mention Taiwan. The resolutions neither authorize the People’s Republic of China to represent Taiwan in the UN system nor assert that Taiwan is part of the PRC. China has long tried to distort the texts to create a legal basis for its “one China principle,” conflating the resolutions with the issue of Taiwan’s sovereignty and restricting Taiwan’s space for international engagement. China’s wholesale deviation from the original texts and the principles of international law has elicited criticism and opposition from the United States, other like-minded countries, diplomatic allies, and the European Union.
 
As the primary international public health agency, WHO has a mission to promote the health and well-being of people everywhere. Consideration of Taiwan’s entry should be guided by global public health interests and professional requirements. Regrettably, WHO has refused to invite Taiwan to attend the WHA due to China’s political demands. China has long meddled in WHO’s handling of Taiwan’s equal engagement in technical meetings and mechanisms, even spreading disinformation that proper arrangements have already been made for Taiwan’s participation in technical meetings. These actions blatantly disregard the importance of international exchanges of public health information and transnational cooperation on disease prevention.
 
Taiwan’s bid to participate in the WHA is integral to the right to health of every human being and the integrity of the global public health system. Taiwan has considerable expertise and rich experience in such areas as communicable disease prevention and control, universal health insurance, digital health, and medical and health assistance. Over the years, Taiwan has achieved outstanding results in assisting allies and friendly countries to enhance medical resilience through transnational medical health cooperation, public health capacity building, and other approaches. China may succeed in preventing WHO from issuing an invitation to Taiwan, but it cannot stop Taiwan from contributing to global health and disease prevention and receiving widespread acclaim from the international community for its medical capabilities and democratic values.
 
In global health governance, no one should be left behind. MOFA will continue to deepen relations with diplomatic allies and like-minded countries through integrated diplomacy, public-private partnerships, and Taiwan’s technological strengths. To resolutely defend the legitimate right to international participation of the 23 million people of Taiwan, MOFA will actively promote global medical health cooperation and the model of healthcare-driven industrial growth. (E)

MOFA condemns China’s efforts to distort UNGA Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1 with regard to Taiwan’s participation in WHA

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA condemns China’s efforts to distort UNGA Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1 with regard to Taiwan’s participation in WHA

Date:2026-05-19
Data Source:Department of International Organizations

May 19, 2026  
No. 219  

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly condemns and protests China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for issuing yet another false and misleading statement on May 18 regarding Taiwan’s engagement in the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA). China has continued to politicize Taiwan’s participation, exposing international public health cooperation and disease prevention systems to high risks.
 
In attempting to put politics above public health interests, China has repeatedly made the false claim that Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization (WHO) requires its approval. It is common knowledge that United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1 only address the issue of China’s representation and do not mention Taiwan. The resolutions neither authorize the People’s Republic of China to represent Taiwan in the UN system nor assert that Taiwan is part of the PRC. China has long tried to distort the texts to create a legal basis for its “one China principle,” conflating the resolutions with the issue of Taiwan’s sovereignty and restricting Taiwan’s space for international engagement. China’s wholesale deviation from the original texts and the principles of international law has elicited criticism and opposition from the United States, other like-minded countries, diplomatic allies, and the European Union.
 
As the primary international public health agency, WHO has a mission to promote the health and well-being of people everywhere. Consideration of Taiwan’s entry should be guided by global public health interests and professional requirements. Regrettably, WHO has refused to invite Taiwan to attend the WHA due to China’s political demands. China has long meddled in WHO’s handling of Taiwan’s equal engagement in technical meetings and mechanisms, even spreading disinformation that proper arrangements have already been made for Taiwan’s participation in technical meetings. These actions blatantly disregard the importance of international exchanges of public health information and transnational cooperation on disease prevention.
 
Taiwan’s bid to participate in the WHA is integral to the right to health of every human being and the integrity of the global public health system. Taiwan has considerable expertise and rich experience in such areas as communicable disease prevention and control, universal health insurance, digital health, and medical and health assistance. Over the years, Taiwan has achieved outstanding results in assisting allies and friendly countries to enhance medical resilience through transnational medical health cooperation, public health capacity building, and other approaches. China may succeed in preventing WHO from issuing an invitation to Taiwan, but it cannot stop Taiwan from contributing to global health and disease prevention and receiving widespread acclaim from the international community for its medical capabilities and democratic values.
 
In global health governance, no one should be left behind. MOFA will continue to deepen relations with diplomatic allies and like-minded countries through integrated diplomacy, public-private partnerships, and Taiwan’s technological strengths. To resolutely defend the legitimate right to international participation of the 23 million people of Taiwan, MOFA will actively promote global medical health cooperation and the model of healthcare-driven industrial growth. (E)

Foreign Minister Lin becomes first foreign minister to visit Geneva during WHA, meets with diplomatic allies

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

May 17, 2026  No. 213  
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung and Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang cohosted a banquet in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 16 for World Health Assembly (WHA) delegations and permanent representatives from diplomatic allies of Taiwan. Minister Lin and Minister Shih expressed appreciation for their continued and steadfast support of Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization (WHO) and exchanged views on related issues with the guests. This marked the first time that Taiwan’s minister of foreign affairs and minister of health and welfare had both traveled to Geneva to promote Taiwan’s bid for participation. The two ministers engaged in lively interactions with representatives from Taiwan’s diplomatic allies during the banquet. Minister Lin said that the inaugural Taiwan Smart Medical and Health Tech Expo would be held parallel to the WHA this year to showcase Taiwan’s achievements in smart medicine, smart technologies, and humanitarian assistance. He noted that it would convey the spirit of Taiwan can help and Taiwan can lead while also aiming to deepen global health cooperation. He stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) had been actively promoting the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project to assist allied nations in enhancing their medical and healthcare capabilities and supporting sustainable development. He added that these efforts had received widespread recognition. Furthermore, he emphasized that during the COVID-19 pandemic and in other times of international need, Taiwan had promptly provided medical supplies, humanitarian aid, and technical assistance, fully demonstrating that Taiwan was a responsible member of the international community and concretely implementing the concept of health without borders. Minister Lin reiterated that Taiwan was part of the world, that it had the right to participate in global affairs, and that its determination to actively participate in WHO, the WHA, and related mechanisms remained unchanged. He also thanked Taiwan’s diplomatic allies for their support and stressed that only through international cooperation could a healthier, more secure, and more resilient world be built. Minister Shih underscored that Taiwan continued to work with its diplomatic allies to advance medical and health care in such areas as health information, chronic disease prevention and treatment, maternal and infant health, and mental health, thereby seeking to improve global health and well-being. On behalf of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), he thanked the countries for supporting Taiwan’s participation in WHO and the WHA. He also sincerely invited their representatives to attend the 2026 Global Health and Welfare Forum in Taiwan to jointly create a digital health future centered on trust.Speaking at the event on behalf of Taiwan’s allies, Palau Vice President and Minister of Health and Human Services Raynold Oilouch stated that all diplomatic allies at the event shared the vision of leaving no one behind. He also recognized Taiwan’s long-term contributions in such domains as health care, infrastructure, sustainable agriculture, and education, which had strengthened familial-like bonds and partnerships between Taiwan and its diplomatic allies. He called on the international community to support Taiwan’s participation in global affairs to ensure Taiwan’s voice would be heard. He thanked the countries present for their support of and friendship with Taiwan at such events as the WHA. The banquet was jointly hosted by Minister Lin and Minister Shih in Geneva and attended by the 11 diplomatic allies of Taiwan that are members of WHO—namely, Belize, Eswatini, Guatemala, Haiti, the Marshall Islands, Palau, Paraguay, Tuvalu, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The event helped further Taiwan’s exchanges and cooperation in medicine and health with diplomatic allies and bolstered their support for Taiwan’s international participation. (E)

Foreign Minister Lin becomes first foreign minister to visit Geneva during WHA, meets with diplomatic allies

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

May 17, 2026  No. 213  
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung and Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang cohosted a banquet in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 16 for World Health Assembly (WHA) delegations and permanent representatives from diplomatic allies of Taiwan. Minister Lin and Minister Shih expressed appreciation for their continued and steadfast support of Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization (WHO) and exchanged views on related issues with the guests. This marked the first time that Taiwan’s minister of foreign affairs and minister of health and welfare had both traveled to Geneva to promote Taiwan’s bid for participation. The two ministers engaged in lively interactions with representatives from Taiwan’s diplomatic allies during the banquet. Minister Lin said that the inaugural Taiwan Smart Medical and Health Tech Expo would be held parallel to the WHA this year to showcase Taiwan’s achievements in smart medicine, smart technologies, and humanitarian assistance. He noted that it would convey the spirit of Taiwan can help and Taiwan can lead while also aiming to deepen global health cooperation. He stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) had been actively promoting the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project to assist allied nations in enhancing their medical and healthcare capabilities and supporting sustainable development. He added that these efforts had received widespread recognition. Furthermore, he emphasized that during the COVID-19 pandemic and in other times of international need, Taiwan had promptly provided medical supplies, humanitarian aid, and technical assistance, fully demonstrating that Taiwan was a responsible member of the international community and concretely implementing the concept of health without borders. Minister Lin reiterated that Taiwan was part of the world, that it had the right to participate in global affairs, and that its determination to actively participate in WHO, the WHA, and related mechanisms remained unchanged. He also thanked Taiwan’s diplomatic allies for their support and stressed that only through international cooperation could a healthier, more secure, and more resilient world be built. Minister Shih underscored that Taiwan continued to work with its diplomatic allies to advance medical and health care in such areas as health information, chronic disease prevention and treatment, maternal and infant health, and mental health, thereby seeking to improve global health and well-being. On behalf of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), he thanked the countries for supporting Taiwan’s participation in WHO and the WHA. He also sincerely invited their representatives to attend the 2026 Global Health and Welfare Forum in Taiwan to jointly create a digital health future centered on trust.Speaking at the event on behalf of Taiwan’s allies, Palau Vice President and Minister of Health and Human Services Raynold Oilouch stated that all diplomatic allies at the event shared the vision of leaving no one behind. He also recognized Taiwan’s long-term contributions in such domains as health care, infrastructure, sustainable agriculture, and education, which had strengthened familial-like bonds and partnerships between Taiwan and its diplomatic allies. He called on the international community to support Taiwan’s participation in global affairs to ensure Taiwan’s voice would be heard. He thanked the countries present for their support of and friendship with Taiwan at such events as the WHA. The banquet was jointly hosted by Minister Lin and Minister Shih in Geneva and attended by the 11 diplomatic allies of Taiwan that are members of WHO—namely, Belize, Eswatini, Guatemala, Haiti, the Marshall Islands, Palau, Paraguay, Tuvalu, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The event helped further Taiwan’s exchanges and cooperation in medicine and health with diplomatic allies and bolstered their support for Taiwan’s international participation. (E)

MOFA greatly welcomes G7 leaders’ statement opposing any unilateral attempts to change cross-strait status quo

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA greatly welcomes G7 leaders’ statement opposing any unilateral attempts to change cross-strait status quo

Date:2026-06-17
Data Source:Department of European Affairs

June 17, 2026  No. 272  Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung warmly welcomes the Group of Seven (G7) leaders’ statement on geopolitical issues, which was released following the G7 summit in Evian, France, from June 15 to 17. The statement emphasized the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific region based on the rule of law. It also reiterated the G7’s staunch opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East China Sea, the South China Sea, and across the Taiwan Strait—particularly through force or coercion—and advocated the peaceful resolution of differences through dialogue. Minister Lin sincerely thanks G7 members for continuing to demonstrate through concrete action the high level of importance they attach to cross-strait peace and stability.

The fact that the statement reaffirmed the G7’s support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait underscores that maintaining the status quo has become an international consensus. As a responsible democratic country in the Indo-Pacific, Taiwan will continue to work with G7 members and like-minded partners worldwide to jointly safeguard the rules-based international order and contribute to regional peace, stability, and prosperity. (E)

The European Union and Taiwan hold the eighth Human Rights Consultations

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)

The European Union and Taiwan hold the eighth Human Rights Consultations

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)

MOFA welcomes visit to Taiwan by US Deputy Permanent Representative to the WTO Bisbee

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA welcomes visit to Taiwan by US Deputy Permanent Representative to the WTO Bisbee

Date:2026-06-10
Data Source:Department of International Cooperation and Economic Affairs

June 10, 2026  
No. 260  

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) extends a warm welcome to David Bisbee, Deputy Permanent Representative of the United States to the World Trade Organization, who is visiting Taiwan from June 10 to 14.
 
Deputy Permanent Representative Bisbee is a senior official at the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). He has extensive experience in international trade and economics, having previously served as a delegate at the USTR’s Geneva office, a deputy assistant US trade representative, and a director in the Southeast Asia and Pacific office of the USTR.
 
While in Taiwan, Deputy Permanent Representative Bisbee will call at the Office of Trade Negotiations, the Mainland Affairs Council, and the International Trade Administration. He will also attend a luncheon hosted by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung and visit Taiwanese technology companies. Through the trip, Deputy Permanent Representative Bisbee will gain a deeper understanding of current developments in trade, economics, technology, democracy, and other areas in Taiwan.
 
Amid the rapidly changing international geopolitical and economic landscape, the United States remains a staunch partner of Taiwan. MOFA looks forward to further deepening interactions and exchanges between the two countries both in bilateral spheres and multilateral trade frameworks to jointly promote the continued development of the Taiwan-US partnership. (E)