Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to China’s recent attempts at military intimidation in the Taiwan Strait and across region

Date：2025-12-10
Data Source：Department of Policy Planning

December 10, 2025The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) condemns recent malicious moves by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to engage in various forms of military intimidation near several neighboring countries and in the Taiwan Strait. Such regrettable actions have heightened regional tensions. 
 
MOFA states that maintaining freedom, security, peace, and stability across the strait and in the Indo-Pacific region is a widely accepted international consensus. Furthermore, China’s unilateral military provocations and suppressive actions threaten Taiwan’s democracy and freedom and the regional status quo of peace and stability. They also destabilize the overall situation in the Indo-Pacific.
 
MOFA calls on China to act in accordance with its status as a major power and fulfill its responsibilities, promptly halt unwarranted military provocations, and respect nations in the region as well as the international order. 
 
As a responsible member of the international community and the Indo-Pacific, Taiwan is committed to firmly safeguarding the cross-strait status quo and bolstering its self-defense capabilities and resilience so as to maintain its security as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Furthermore, Taiwan will work with democracies in the region to jointly preserve peace, stability, and prosperity. Meanwhile, in the face of external threats and challenges, the government will continue to collaborate with like-minded countries to uphold democracy. Working with the people, the government is determined to protect Taiwan’s democracy, freedom, and security.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

外交部が日本外務省報道官による「我が国周辺での軍事演習は緊張を高める行為である」との公開懸念伝達に歓迎及び感謝を表明

Date：2025-12-31
Data Source：TAIWAN-JAPAN RELATIONS ASSOCIATION

2025/12/31No. 550日本外務省報道官は本年（2025年）12月31日に談話を発表し、現在中国が台湾周辺で実施した軍事演習が台湾海峡の緊張を高めていると指摘し、日本政府は中国に対し懸念を表明するとともに関連の動向を強い関心をもって注視していることを明らかにした。また、台湾海峡の平和と安定は国際社会にとって極めて重要であり、対話により平和的に台湾をめぐる問題を解決すべきであると強調した。外交部林佳龍部長はこれに対し、歓迎と感謝の意を表した。中国はこれまで幾度となく台湾周辺において大規模な軍事演習を実施し、地域の平和と安定を破壊してきた。日本政府はその都度、直ちに中国に対し懸念と関心を表明するとともに、国際社会に対し台湾海峡の平和と安定への関心を喚起してきた。これらの行為は、中国が武力及び威圧により一方的に現状を変えようとする意図を示すものであり、台湾海峡の平和と安定を維持するという国際社会の強固な共通認識及び共同利益を厳重に損なうものである。中国はすでに国際社会におけるトラブルメーカーとなっている。外交部は、米国、日本、欧州連合等世界の民主主義陣営の国々が、継続的に協力し権威主義の拡張に対抗することを期待し、各国に対し引き続き台湾海峡情勢への関心と台湾への支持を呼びかける。我が国は今後も、防衛力の向上に努めるとともに、友好国・同盟国と緊密に連携し、ルールに基づく国際秩序を守り、世界及びインド太平洋地域の平和、安定と繁栄を促進していく。

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA welcomes statements by Australia and New Zealand expressing concern over China’s recent military exercises around Taiwan

Date：2025-12-31
Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

December 31, 2025No. 549In a statement issued on December 31, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said that China’s military exercises around Taiwan were destabilizing and risked inflaming regional tensions. It said that Australia opposed any actions that increased the risk of accident, miscalculation, or escalation, adding that Australian officials had raised concerns with Chinese counterparts.In addition, in a statement on the social media platform X, New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade expressed the country’s concern over China’s recent military exercises. The post called for China to exercise restraint and avoid actions that may undermine peace and stability.Following similar comments issued in April, these statements mark a further instance of Australia and New Zealand publicly opposing any unilateral changes to the status quo across the Taiwan Strait and calling on both sides to resolve their differences through dialogue rather than through force or coercion.Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung sincerely thanks Australia, New Zealand, and like-minded countries in the Indo-Pacific region and around the globe for once again demonstrating support for peace and security across the Taiwan Strait and for articulating a clear position on maintaining a stable status quo across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan appreciates all countries continuing to pay close attention to the Taiwan Strait situation.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates that upholding peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is the international consensus. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will continue to cooperate with like-minded countries to jointly safeguard peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and across the globe. (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)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Foreign Minister Lin solemnly refutes Chinese Foreign Minister Wang’s further false claims regarding World War II

Date：2025-12-31
Data Source：Department of Policy Planning

December 31, 2025
No. 547In his keynote speech at the 2025 Symposium on the International Situation and China’s Foreign Relations held in Beijing on December 30, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi once again misrepresented historical facts about World War II and falsely claimed that the so-called Taiwan question was a matter of China’s internal affairs. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) solemnly refutes this attempt to distort the truth and mislead the public.Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung firmly reiterates that the ROC (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent country and that neither the ROC (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is subordinate to the other. Historical facts, objective reality, and international law all show that Taiwan’s sovereignty does not belong to the PRC. Only the people of Taiwan have the right to determine Taiwan’s future. Statements distorting Taiwan’s sovereign status will not change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait or alter objective facts recognized by the international community.China recently conducted another joint military exercise around Taiwan, severely threatening peace and security across the Taiwan Strait and the region. Its actions defied the principle of refraining from the threat or use of force set out in the UN Charter and seriously disrupted international maritime and air traffic and regular trade exchanges, harming others while yielding no gain itself. This behavior once again demonstrated that China is the real troublemaker, malicious provocateur, and disruptor of the status quo in the international community and across the Taiwan Strait.MOFA urges the Beijing authorities to immediately halt their attempts aimed at unilaterally changing the status quo and respect the fact of the existence of the ROC (Taiwan); to immediately cease their unwarranted threats and provocations against Taiwan and neighboring countries and shoulder the responsibilities expected of a major power; and to immediately put an end to their distortion of historical facts and not mislead the international community any further.MOFA also calls on the international community to support democratic Taiwan through concrete actions, jointly condemn China’s persistent efforts to unilaterally alter the status quo and its overbearing military intimidation against other countries, and work together to safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and security in the Indo-Pacific region. Taiwan will continue to cooperate with other nations in its endeavor to maintain regional peace and stability. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

November 24, 2025  
No. 491  
 
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung met with a delegation from Paraguay led by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Víctor Alfredo Verdún Bitar on the morning of November 24. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Baushuan Ger hosted a luncheon for the group, extending a warm welcome to the visitors on behalf of the government of Taiwan. The delegation included Director General of Bilateral Policy Raúl Mariano Martínez Villalba and Director General of Press Advisory Services Osmar Gómez Román.
 
In his remarks, Minister Lin welcomed Vice Minister Verdún, who was leading a delegation on his first visit to Taiwan. Speaking on behalf of the people and government of Taiwan, Minister Lin again thanked Paraguayan President Santiago Peña and the government of Paraguay for making over 50 statements in public and at international events supporting bilateral diplomatic relations and backing Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. 
 
Minister Lin pointed out that President Lai Ching-te attached great importance to the results of cooperation between Taiwan and Paraguay. He added that President Lai had instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to continue working with the government of Paraguay under the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project to jointly promote partnership programs in such areas as smart health care, new energy, carbon credit cooperation, and smart new agriculture, as well as to expand economic and trade investment and collaboration. Minister Lin said that this would make the Taiwan-Paraguay relationship a model of international cooperation and exchanges. 
 
In response, Vice Minister Verdún thanked Taiwan for its long-standing assistance in technological advancement, talent development, public health, medical care, and other spheres. Emphasizing President Peña’s staunch support for Taiwan-Paraguay diplomatic ties, he added that both countries shared the values of freedom, democracy, and human rights, which should not be sacrificed for economic and trade interests. Vice Minister Verdún said that Paraguay wanted to demonstrate to the world that standing with Taiwan was the right choice and that Paraguay would continue to join other like-minded nations in backing Taiwan’s participation in the international community.
 
Speaking at the luncheon that he hosted on behalf of Minister Lin, Vice Minister Ger noted that Paraguay offered an attractive investment environment and had the advantage of being a gateway to access the regional market. He said that the government of Taiwan was developing appropriate policies to encourage companies to invest in Paraguay. Vice Minister Ger expressed hope that, based on the existing solid foundations of cooperation, the two sides would further develop economic and trade opportunities to benefit the businesses and people of both countries. 
 
During his remarks, Vice Minister Verdún applauded the results of bilateral collaboration and exchanges across all fields and commended the memorandum of understanding on carbon credit cooperation, signed by the two nations in October, as a forward-looking and strategic document. He added that he was pleased by the popularity of Paraguayan beef and pork in the Taiwanese market. Vice Minister Verdún reiterated Paraguay’s firm support for Taiwan’s international participation and exchanged views with other guests on an extensive range of issues, including economics, trade, agriculture, medical care, and technology.
 
Over the 68 years that Taiwan and Paraguay have been diplomatic allies, they have engaged in broad-ranging cooperation across areas including talent development, public health, medical care, agricultural technology, and technological advancement. The outcomes of collaboration are widely recognized and appreciated by the Paraguayan people and government. Paraguay has long endorsed Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, and President Peña has strongly spoken up for Taiwan at the United Nations General Assembly for several years running, demonstrating the rock-solid, mutually beneficial, and reciprocal partnership between the two countries. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

President Lai confers decoration on former Czech Parliament Chamber of Deputies Speaker Markéta Pekarová Adamová
On the afternoon of January 20, President Lai Ching-te conferred the Order of Brilliant Star with Special Grand Cordon upon Markéta Pekarová Adamová, former speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, in recognition of her long-term, outstanding contributions to deepening the friendship between Taiwan and the Czech Republic. In remarks, President Lai indicated that in recent years, cooperation between Taiwan and the Czech Republic in trade, investment, technology, and aviation has continued to deepen, demonstrating that the Taiwan-Czech partnership is not only built on shared values, but also has substantial and long-term economic potential. The president expressed hope that both sides will create more opportunities for cooperation and write new chapters in the deep friendship between Taiwan and the Czech Republic as it continues to grow.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
Firstly, on behalf of the people of Taiwan, I would like to extend a warm welcome to our dear friend former Speaker Adamová on her return to Taiwan. It was also a great honor for me just now to confer the Order of Brilliant Star with Special Grand Cordon upon her on behalf of our government to thank her for her outstanding contributions to deepening the friendship between Taiwan and the Czech Republic over the years.
I remember the determination then-Speaker Adamová showed three years ago when she led a delegation of more than 160 people to Taiwan, despite facing great external pressure. The visit marked a new milestone in bilateral relations. Speaking during the trip, she emphasized that Taiwan and the Czech Republic were in the same boat. Today, her words still resonate throughout Taiwanese society.
In 2023, then-Speaker Adamová and I visited the Net Zero City Expo together. On that occasion, I cited her remarks, saying that Taiwan and the Czech Republic stand together now and will continue to stand together in any circumstance. Our meeting today at the Presidential Office serves as further proof that the friendship between Taiwan and the Czech Republic has endured over time and distance, growing ever stronger and deeper.
Former Speaker Adamová has long spoken up courageously on the international stage for peace in the Taiwan Strait and for Indo-Pacific security. Within the Czech parliament, she actively championed resolutions in support of Taiwan and our participation in international organizations. She also personally facilitated an exhibition by the National Palace Museum in the Czech Republic. These actions were all concrete demonstrations of solidarity with Taiwan, which our people will always cherish.
In recent years, cooperation between Taiwan and the Czech Republic in trade, investment, and technology has continued to deepen. We have signed numerous MOUs that are steadily yielding positive results. An increasing number of Taiwanese enterprises are expanding their investments in the Czech Republic, and collaboration in aviation and industry continues to strengthen. These achievements demonstrate that the Taiwan-Czech partnership is not only built on shared values, but also has substantial and long-term economic potential. Looking ahead, Taiwan will continue to work with the Czech Republic to create more opportunities for cooperation and write new chapters in our deep friendship as it continues to grow.
I would also like to touch upon former Speaker Adamová’s book, Nejsem z cukru ani ze železa (Made of Neither Sugar nor Iron), published last October. In it, she notes that exchanges between democracies and Taiwan are not designed to provoke China, but rather to fulfill a commitment to democracy and freedom. I am deeply touched by her conviction that democratic countries will not let Taiwan stand alone.
Although she is taking a step back from politics for now, I am confident that former Speaker Adamová will continue to be a key driving force behind Taiwan-Czech cooperation. I want to emphasize once again that Taiwan stands with the Czech Republic and all our democratic partners both now and in the future, and will continue to do so in any circumstance. In closing, I again welcome former Speaker Adamová to Taiwan and wish her a pleasant and productive stay.
Former Speaker Adamová then delivered remarks, saying that it is a great honor for her to receive the Order of Brilliant Star with Special Grand Cordon from President Lai, and that she accepts it with deep gratitude and great respect for Taiwan and its people.
Former Speaker Adamová stated that she comes from Czechia, a nation that knows from its own history how precious freedom is, and how important it is to defend democracy, human rights, and the right of every country to choose its own future. She said that this is why Taiwan holds a very special place in the hearts of the Czech people, who recognize in Taiwan a partner who shares their values, courage, and belief in an open and peaceful world.
The former speaker went on to say that Taiwan is an extraordinary country that is strong, innovative, and resilient, but also open, kind, and deeply human. She said that everywhere she goes in Taiwan, she feels the warmth, dignity, and determination of the Taiwanese people. Taiwan’s society, she said, proves that democracy can flourish even in challenging times, and that freedom is strongest when it is supported by responsibility and mutual respect. She then expressed her sincere support for Taiwan and its peaceful future, and stated that Taiwan deserves to live in security, dignity, and prosperity, free to shape its own destiny and contribute fully to the global community.
Former Speaker Adamová stated that the decoration she received is not only a great personal honor for her, but also a symbol of friendship between Taiwan and Czechia, and a commitment to continue building bridges between our countries, our cultures, and our people. To close, she thanked President Lai once again for the extraordinary honor, and expressed hope that Taiwan will continue to thrive in peace, freedom, and confidence.
Also in attendance at the ceremony were Representative of the Czech Economic and Cultural Office David Steinke and Head of the Taiwan Office of the European Values Center for Security Policy Marcin Mateusz Jerzewski.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Financial Secretary Paul Chan fulfilled various engagements on day two of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland yesterday, as he promoted Hong Kong’s advantages and opportunities.

In the morning, Mr Chan attended a Special Address delivered by State Council Vice Premier He Lifeng.

Mr Chan also attended a breakfast meeting hosted by digital asset company Animoca Brands, where he engaged in discussions with leaders from the financial and innovation sectors on how blockchain applications, including tokenised assets and genomic data analytics, are driving transformation and development in capital markets.

The finance chief said that, as an international financial centre, Hong Kong has adopted a proactive yet prudent approach to the development of digital assets and follows the principle of “same activity, same risk, same regulation” to promote responsible and sustainable market development.

Explaining that a licensing regime for stablecoins is expected to be launched later this year, he highlighted the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s leadership role in promoting tokenisation, including the issuance of three batches of tokenised green bonds amounting to around US$2.1 billion. In addition, he said, regulatory sandboxes have been introduced to encourage the development of innovative applications.

Later in the day, Mr Chan met a number of officials from different economies and regional organisations to exchange views on the global political and economic landscape, ways of strengthening collaboration on trade, finance, industrial development and digital transformation, and other issues of mutual concern.

These officials included Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Egypt’s Minister of Investment & Foreign Trade Hassan El Khatib; and Switzerland’s State Secretary for International Finance at the Federal Department of Finance Daniela Stoffel.

In addition, Mr Chan met World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to exchange views on the current and future international trade landscape.

His engagements for the day also included a meeting with Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of technology investment firm Vista Equity Partners Robert Smith.

At the meeting, Mr Chan learnt about developments in the firm’s software and data businesses, and encouraged Mr Smith to consider expanding the company’s presence in Hong Kong.