Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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March 16, 2025 
No. 067 

The eighth Yushan Forum will take place from March 17 to 18 at the Taipei Marriott Hotel. The theme of the event is “New Southbound Policy+: Taiwan, the Indo-Pacific, and a New World.” In line with President Lai Ching-te’s Smart Nation 2.0 policy vision, the meeting is being held parallel to the 2025 Smart City Summit and Expo and the 2050 Net Zero City Expo. The expanded forum will be attended by key political figures, industrial leaders, and experts from New Southbound Policy partner countries and other like-minded nations worldwide, including Denmark, Slovenia, the United States, Japan, the Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania, Canada, New Zealand, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, and India. Participants will discuss how Taiwan leverages its digital state power and innovative technology to promote a digital New Southbound initiative and develop smart solutions with partner countries to jointly advance sustainable prosperity in the region.
 
On the first day of the event, President Lai will deliver opening remarks in the morning, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim will hold a luncheon for important guests in the afternoon, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung will host a welcome dinner for participants in the evening. Leading political figures attending the forum include Anders Fogh Rasmussen, former Danish Prime Minister and current Chairman of the Alliance of Democracies Foundation; Janez Janša, former Slovenian Prime Minister; Keiji Furuya, Chairman of the Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council and member of the Japanese House of Representatives; Pavel Fischer, member of the Czech Senate and Chairman of its Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Security; Anna Fotyga, former Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs; Mantas Adomenas, former Lithuanian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and current Secretary General of the Polish-based Community of Democracies; and Tony Clement, former Canadian Minister of Health. Other guests include leaders of Taiwanese companies and industrial associations; representatives of globally renowned corporate groups such as Merck, US-based Coupang and Uber, and Thai-based AMATA; and delegates of the US-based Pacific Forum, the Asia Centre from Thailand, and various think tanks and nongovernmental organizations based in Indonesia, India, and other New Southbound Policy partner countries.
 
Taiwan held the first Yushan Forum in 2017. Now in its eighth iteration, the event has fully demonstrated the achievements of the New Southbound Policy. In line with integrated diplomacy, this year’s forum has been further transformed and elevated into a key discussion platform to connect Taiwan, the Indo-Pacific, and the world, and to incorporate Taiwan’s successful advancements and experiences in various fields into regional dialogue. The forum will make an indispensable contribution to sustainable democracy, sustainable prosperity, and sustainable peace in the Indo-Pacific region. (E)

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MOFA response to Chinese Foreign Ministry’s statement that recent PLA drills near Taiwan Strait were directed at United States

March 17, 2025 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has taken note that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) conducted joint combat readiness patrols near the Taiwan Strait on March 17, undermining regional peace and stability. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs subsequently made a number of claims, including that the action was in response to revisions made to the fact sheet on US-Taiwan relations on the United States Department of State website. It also demanded that the United States avoid causing severe damage to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. 
 
MOFA strongly denounces China for jeopardizing the cross-strait status quo of peace and stability through military actions around the Taiwan Strait, using the aforementioned revisions to deflect attention from its own disruptive behavior and push its skewed narrative, and attempting to maliciously discredit Taiwan-US relations.
 
The US Department of State on February 13 updated the abovementioned section on its official website, emphasizing the United States’ abiding interest in peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, opposition to any unilateral changes to the status quo, and expectation that cross-strait differences be resolved by peaceful means. It also reiterated that the United States would honor its security commitments to Taiwan in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act. The website, in addition to reflecting the status quo and the consistent US approach to Taiwan across decades and administrations, underscored the importance that the United States places on cross-strait peace and stability.
 
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung welcomes the support for Taiwan-US relations and the shared goal of promoting peace and prosperity as expressed on the related webpage. He stresses that the international community is cognizant of the fact that it is the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) that has been pursuing expansion in the region in recent years, attempting to challenge the status quo, and employing gray-zone coercion, thereby repeatedly jeopardizing the stable status quo. The CCP cannot claim that it seeks stability when, in fact, it continues to adopt provocative means that disrupt regional and global peace and stability. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will remain steadfast and do its utmost to ensure peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. 

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MOFA response to South Africa’s DIRCO changing name of Taiwan’s liaison office on official website

March 16, 2025  

In January, South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) sent another letter to the Taipei Liaison Office in the Republic of South Africa (TLO) demanding that it relocate by the end of March. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung promptly convened an emergency meeting and requested that the TLO, on the principles of parity and dignity, continue to negotiate with DIRCO. The two sides are currently exchanging views on the possibility of amending the content of the legal framework governing their bilateral relations. Taiwan has urged South Africa to accelerate talks on details regarding formal negotiations, such as the location, time, composition of the delegation, and method of signing an agreement. 
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has closely followed developments and noted that South Africa recently changed the name of the TLO on DIRCO’s official website while bilateral negotiations were still underway and before both sides had reached a consensus. This violated a 1997 agreement between Taiwan and South Africa. In response, Foreign Minister Lin immediately instructed MOFA’s Department of West Asian and African Affairs and the TLO to lodge solemn protests with the Liaison Office of South Africa in Taipei and DIRCO, respectively. The TLO subsequently issued a note verbale to the South African government formally expressing Taiwan’s stance and reiterating that DIRCO’s citing of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 and South Africa’s “one China policy” in an effort to force the TLO to relocate was unreasonable, unjustifiable, and unacceptable. The TLO added that South Africa’s collusion with China in attempting to suppress Taiwan violated the spirit of democracy and freedom long advocated by South Africa, and called on the South African government to respect the agreement it concluded with Taiwan in 1997.
 
The South African government has recently engaged in repeated violations of international norms, attracting the attention of the international community. This was reflected in recent remarks made by then-South African Ambassador to the United States Ebrahim Rasool, which the United States deemed unacceptable. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared him persona non grata on March 15.
 
MOFA once again solemnly urges the South African government to proactively discuss the relevant details of this matter with Taiwan as soon as possible and not to take any actions that violate the 1997 bilateral agreement before both sides have reached a consensus.

 

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MOFA response to false claims by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson regarding Taiwan and its president

March 14, 2025  

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly refutes false claims made at a regular press conference on March 13 by a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, who said that “Taiwan is part of China” and that “there is no so-called president in Taiwan.” These statements not only completely ignore the facts and status quo across the Taiwan Strait but also aim to mislead the international community.
 
The Republic of China (Taiwan) successfully held its eighth presidential election on January 13, 2024, setting another milestone in its democratic development. Government officials and parliamentarians of 50 nations—including 12 diplomatic allies and other friendly countries, such as the United States, Japan, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia—praised this achievement and offered congratulations to Taiwan. Many democracies hope that the people of China will one day also be able to hold direct presidential elections, thereby determining their nation’s leaders and future. 
 
MOFA solemnly reiterates that neither the Republic of China (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other, that the PRC regime has never governed Taiwan, and that no narratives distorting Taiwan’s sovereign status can change the objective reality and internationally recognized status quo across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan’s future must be collectively decided by the 23.5 million people of Taiwan. China has no right to interfere. 

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MOFA response to Chinese Foreign Ministry’s false claims regarding Taiwan and UNGA Resolution 2758

March 11, 2025  

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated at a regular press conference on March 10 that China was “ready to work with the greatest sincerity and exert utmost efforts to achieve peaceful reunification.” It also made spurious claims regarding United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758. These statements not only ignore the facts but also distort reality and mislead the international community.
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) solemnly reiterates that neither the Republic of China (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other; that the PRC regime has never governed Taiwan; and that no narratives distorting Taiwan’s sovereign status can change the internationally recognized status quo across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan’s future must be collectively decided by the 23.5 million people of Taiwan. China has no right to interfere. 
 
MOFA again stresses that UNGA Resolution 2758 only established China’s representation in the UN; that it makes no mention of Taiwan throughout its entire text; that it does not determine that Taiwan is a part of the PRC; and that it does not authorize China to represent Taiwan in the UN.
 
MOFA urges China to recognize the fact that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is an independent and sovereign country; that Taiwan has never been a part of the PRC; and that neither side being subordinate to the other is the status quo across the Taiwan Strait and a long-standing, internationally recognized, and objective fact.
 
MOFA calls on the international community to take note of China’s use of legal warfare in misrepresenting UNGA Resolution 2758 and mischaracterizing the Taiwan issue as a domestic issue so as to deter international support for Taiwan. It encourages countries worldwide to continue to take concrete actions to counter and explicitly oppose China’s malicious and repeated misrepresentation of the resolution, as well as its attempts to change the status quo of neither side being subordinate to the other. MOFA also asks that they denounce China’s false claims regarding an international consensus on the so-called “one China principle” and work together to uphold peace, stability, and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and in the Indo-Pacific.

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Taiwan and partner countries host international workshop on whole-of-society resilience aimed at advancing world peace, stability, and prosperity

March 4, 2025 
No. 057 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) hosted an international workshop on “Whole-of-Society Resilience Building, Preparation, and Response” in Taiwan from March 4 to 6 under the Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF). The event was held jointly with the representative offices of the United States, Japan, Australia, and Canada in Taiwan, in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior’s National Fire Agency (NFA). Industry representatives, government officials, and academics from Taiwan and overseas attended the workshop to explore innovative strategies and best practices for building whole-of-society resilience and enhancing nations’ response capabilities to both man-made and natural disasters. A total of 264 people from 30 countries attended, including Taiwanese participants and 61 foreign guests.
 
In his opening remarks, President Lai Ching-te pledged that as a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan was both willing and able to make greater contributions to global democracy, peace, and prosperity. He noted that Taiwan and partner countries shared their expertise and experience through the GCTF with the rest of the world so that concerted responses could be made to meet new challenges. 
 
President Lai stated that Taiwan would steadily implement three initiatives—central and local governments will join forces to strengthen societal resilience across the board, whole-of-society disaster response capabilities will be enhanced, and Taiwan will leverage its strengths to contribute to the international community. He added that the Taiwanese people would demonstrate to the world their determination to create an even more resilient Taiwan. He also said he hoped that Taiwan could pursue mutual assistance and exchanges with other countries so as to jointly promote global stability and prosperity.
 
In-depth discussions during the workshop covered a wide range of issues, including consensus building and command structures for whole-of-society resilience; civilian training and employment; the stockpiling of strategic supplies; the distribution of critical supplies; the safeguarding of energy and critical infrastructure operations; social well-being; medical care; the preparation of shelters and related facilities; and the security of information communication, transportation, and financial networks. In addition, executives from multinational enterprises shared their experiences of resilience enhancement and emergency planning. To cap off the workshop, international participants visited the NFA Training Center in Nantou County to gain an understanding of Taiwan’s firefighting and disaster prevention training programs. 
 
Given the threats of natural disasters and geopolitical challenges, it is paramount for all countries to bolster whole-of-society resilience. Taiwan and partner nations will continue to work together through the GCTF platform to advance international exchanges and cooperation; build secure and resilient societies; and ensure global peace, stability, and prosperity. (E)

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MOFA thanks US Department of State for affirming Belize’s staunch commitment to maintaining diplomatic partnership with Taiwan

Date：2025-03-15
Data Source：Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs

March 15, 2025
No. 065The United States Department of State issued a press statement on May 14 congratulating Belize on the completion of its democratic elections and Prime Minister John Briceño on his successful reelection to a second term. The statement also lauded Taiwan as a democratic force for good in the region and affirmed Belize’s staunch commitment to maintaining its diplomatic partnership with Taiwan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) sincerely thanks the United States for reiterating its support for democratic Taiwan and Taiwan’s diplomatic alliance with Belize.
 
Taiwan and Belize share robust diplomatic relations, and bilateral ties continue to deepen. The government of Taiwan and the embassy in Belize expressed sincere congratulations to the Belizean people and Prime Minister Briceño immediately following Belize’s general elections. As a rock-solid partner of Belize and the United States, Taiwan will continue to do its utmost to strengthen and expand trilateral cooperation and to jointly safeguard the values of democracy and freedom, as well as regional peace and security. (E)

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MOFA sincerely appreciates G7 foreign ministers’ joint statement reaffirming importance of cross-strait peace and stability

Date：2025-03-15
Data Source：Department of North American Affairs

March 15, 2025 
No. 064 

The Group of Seven (G7) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was convened in Charlevoix, Quebec, Canada, from March 12 to 14. In a joint statement released after the meeting, G7 members reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, reiterated their opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion, and called for the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues. They also expressed support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) highly welcomes and sincerely appreciates G7 members continuing to take concrete action to demonstrate their staunch support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
 
In the statement, G7 members reiterated their commitment to upholding a free, open, prosperous, and secure Indo-Pacific and conveyed concern over China’s military buildup and the continued, rapid increase in its nuclear weapons arsenal. They urged China not to conduct or condone activities aimed at undermining the safety of communities and the integrity of democratic institutions in other countries. They also expressed concerns about China’s nonmarket policies and practices, which they said were leading to harmful overcapacity and market distortions. 
 
In addition, the G7 foreign ministers issued a declaration stressing the importance of maritime security and prosperity. Expressing concern that undersea communications cables and other critical undersea infrastructure have been subject to damage through sabotage, they pledged to enhance cooperation with industry, strengthen repair capacities, and improve infrastructure resilience.
 
Since the G7 Leaders’ Summit held in Cornwall, United Kingdom, in 2021, G7 members have issued joint communiqués or statements at several high-level meetings and summits over the past five consecutive years emphasizing a high regard and support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. As an important country in the Indo-Pacific and a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will continue to bolster cooperation with G7 members, allies, and friendly countries to collectively ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific, safeguard the rules-based international order, firmly protect the core values of democracy and freedom, create non-red supply chains, and strengthen the economic resilience of the democratic community. (E)

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ROC (Taiwan) government congratulates diplomatic ally Belize on successful completion of general elections

Date：2025-03-13
Data Source：Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs

March 13, 2025
No. 061

Belize, a diplomatic ally of the Republic of China (Taiwan), held general elections on March 12. The ruling People’s United Party won the elections and its leader, John Briceño, will serve a consecutive term as prime minister and form a new government. After the elections, ROC (Taiwan) Ambassador to Belize Lily Li-wen Hsu promptly expressed sincere congratulations to Prime Minister Briceño on behalf of the government of Taiwan.
 
The election process was peaceful and smooth, underscoring the staunch commitment to and belief of the Belizean government and people in safeguarding democracy. Under Prime Minister Briceño’s leadership, the government of Belize has spoken up for Taiwan at numerous international events. The government of Taiwan will build on existing foundations to further foster friendships with high-level Belizean officials and continue to deepen the two nations’ close and cordial cooperation. 
 
Last year marked 35 years of diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Belize. In May, Prime Minister Briceño led a delegation to attend the inauguration of President Lai Ching-te and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim. In late October, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung led a delegation to visit Belize. During his visit, Minister Lin issued a joint statement with Belizean Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Francis Fonseca on the 35 years of diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Belize, reaffirming the two countries’ robust friendship. (E)

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March 7, 2025  
No. 059  

The 7th Taiwan-EU Human Rights Consultations were held in Taipei on March 5. The meeting was chaired by Minister without Portfolio Lin Ming-hsin, who led a group of representatives from various Taiwan government agencies. On the EU side, the consultations were attended by Nicoletta Pusterla, Deputy Head of the China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Mongolia Division of the European External Action Service, and Domenica Bumma, Policy Officer from the EEAS Human Rights Team. This regular dialogue underscores the long-standing Taiwan-EU exchanges and cooperation on human rights and the two sides’ shared commitment to global human rights development.
 
The consultations were conducted in an open and constructive manner, with the two sides first exchanging views on recent human rights developments, policy initiatives, actions following Constitutional Court Judgment no. 8 of 2024, and priority action plans. Taiwan shared the progress it has made on multiple national human rights action plans, emphasizing transparency and public participation to ensure an open, inclusive process that effectively responds to societal needs. The participants reaffirmed their steadfast commitment to promoting and defending human rights, democracy, and the rule of law and engaged in in-depth discussions on several key issues.
With regard to business and human rights, the EU addressed the latest developments concerning the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. Taiwan shared updates to its National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, which stresses a soft-law approach to promoting corporate human rights protection while also exploring potential legislative measures.
 
Furthermore, a working luncheon was cohosted by Minister Lin Ming-hsin and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs François Chihchung Wu. Discussions during the luncheon extended to digital human rights and human rights education. The EU side spoke about its Artificial Intelligence Act and Digital Services Act, which emphasize the need to balance technological development with human rights and privacy protection. Representatives from the Taiwan side provided an introduction to the draft AI basic act, which highlights risk management and data governance. On human rights education, Taiwan presented efforts it has made in schools and public institutions and proposed exploring the feasibility of establishing a Taiwan-EU human rights education cooperation framework to promote academic and educational exchanges.
 
The consultations further explored gender equality and the rights of the elderly. The two sides reviewed the achievements under the Taiwan-EU Gender Equality Cooperation and Training Framework, and the Taiwan side proposed launching a second phase, focusing on combating online gender-based violence, protecting the rights of diverse gender communities, and deepening gender equality cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. Regarding elderly rights, the two sides shared their policies on long-term care and age-friendly initiatives, discussing ways to safeguard the rights of older adults in an aging society, including economic security, healthcare, and social participation, while exchanging policy experiences.
 
On migrant workers’ rights, Taiwan outlined measures to protect foreign domestic workers and distant-water fishermen, including setting up direct hiring mechanisms, improving working conditions, and strengthening legal supervision. The two sides also discussed ways to enhance the rights of disadvantaged migrant workers.
 
The consultations were followed by an exchange between nongovernmental members of the Executive Yuan’s Human Rights Protection and Promotion Task Force and the EU representatives, marking the first time they engaged in dialogue on the challenges and opportunities in human rights policies faced by both sides.
 
Taiwan and the EU both uphold the core values of democracy, freedom, and human rights. The two sides have laid a strong foundation for cooperation in these areas. The Taiwan government will continue to enhance human rights standards and ensure alignment with international norms, with the Executive Yuan coordinating interagency efforts. Both sides have expressed that they look forward to developing more concrete cooperation initiatives, fostering experience sharing and policy dialogues to further strengthen the Taiwan-EU partnership, jointly advancing global human rights, and benefiting the international community. (E)