MOFA response to statements by China’s Foreign Ministry concerning Taiwan-US tariff consensus

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to statements by China’s Foreign Ministry concerning Taiwan-US tariff consensus

January 16, 2026    

At a regular press conference on January 16, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its firm opposition to the consensus reached between Taiwan and the United States on trade tariffs and related details.
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) reiterates that the ROC (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent country, that its sovereignty belongs to the people of Taiwan, and that the People’s Republic of China has never governed Taiwan. These are objective facts and the internationally recognized status quo. China has no right to comment on or interfere in the sovereign actions of other nations. China’s remarks underscore its hegemonic mindset and how, as a troublemaker, it attempts to unilaterally change the international order.
 
MOFA is pleased that Taiwan’s negotiation team, led by Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun and Minister without Portfolio Yang Jen-ni, successfully reached a consensus with the United States and concluded talks on trade tariffs and related details. On the basis of this foundation and under the leadership of President Lai Ching-te and the Executive Yuan, MOFA will continue to implement its core strategy of integrated diplomacy, working with relevant ministries to promote economic diplomacy and expand cooperation with the private sector. By encouraging large businesses to lead smaller ones, combining tangible and intangible assets, furthering public-private collaboration, and advancing foreign engagement through domestic business models, MOFA is building an economic and trade joint fleet with the United States and continuing to steadily foster a comprehensive economic and technological bilateral partnership.

MOFA response to false claims regarding Taiwan in a joint press release issued by PRC foreign minister and AU

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to false claims regarding Taiwan in a joint press release issued by PRC foreign minister and AU

January 9, 2026

During a visit to Ethiopia, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi issued a joint press release with the African Union (AU) on January 8 following the China-African Union Strategic Dialogue. The joint press release blatantly disregarded objective historical facts and contained false statements, including the claim that “Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory.” 
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly condemns and protests the Chinese government’s continued efforts to spread lies and falsehoods in the international community so as to denigrate Taiwan’s sovereignty. It also expresses deep regret at the AU’s submission to and parroting of China’s political position, which deviates from international reality.
 
MOFA solemnly reiterates that neither the Republic of China (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is subordinate to the other. Taiwan has long played an active role in the international community and has made substantive and constructive contributions to its African and global partners. MOFA calls on the AU, an important regional organization, to adhere to objective facts and exercise independent judgement in its public remarks and statements. 
 
China continues to repeatedly disseminate false narratives on international occasions, engaging in political suppression and discourse manipulation. Such actions, which contradict facts and undermine the international order, are not just absurd; they expose China’s attempts at authoritarian interference.
 
The sovereignty of the ROC (Taiwan) belongs to the people of Taiwan. Only they can decide Taiwan’s future. As a force for good in the international community, Taiwan will continue to defend the values of freedom and democracy and strengthen cooperation with like-minded countries to firmly defend the nation’s sovereignty, curb authoritarian expansionism, uphold the values of freedom and democracy, and further contribute to the international community.

MOFA response to China listing Taiwan officials as “diehard Taiwan independence advocates”

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to China listing Taiwan officials as “diehard Taiwan independence advocates”

January 7, 2026  

On January 7, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office listed Taiwan Minister of the Interior Liu Shyh-fang and Minister of Education Cheng Ying-yao as “diehard Taiwan independence advocates” and Prosecutor Chen Shu-yi from the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office as an “accomplice” in related activities.

China’s government has repeatedly engaged in heavy-handed transnational repression and long-arm jurisdiction, targeting individuals from Taiwan and other countries through intimidation, harassment, and interference. These actions have infringed upon these individuals’ human rights, shown complete disregard for the rule of law and civilized norms, and gravely contravened the spirit of international law and international human rights standards. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly condemns these actions and calls on the international community to jointly stop China’s malicious behavior and illegal transnational repression. 

MOFA solemnly reiterates that neither the Republic of China (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is subordinate to the other and that China has no jurisdiction over Taiwan nationals. All Taiwan nationals targeted by transnational repression will be protected by the government. Furthermore, anyone in Taiwan cooperating with China’s transnational repression will be subject to legal sanctions. 

MOFA will continue to coordinate with other government agencies, strengthen cooperation with the international community, and bolster the emergency response and assistance mechanisms of overseas missions so as to safeguard Taiwan nationals’ safety. 

MOFA strongly refutes statements by Seychelles and Madagascar regarding withdrawal of overflight permits for President Lai’s aircraft

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

April 22, 2026  No.155  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly refutes statements made by the Foreign Ministries of Seychelles and Madagascar to justify their decision to withdraw overflight permits for the chartered plane of President Lai Ching-te, who was scheduled to travel to the Kingdom of Eswatini on April 22. 

Seychelles and Madagascar respectively stated that they did not recognize Taiwan’s sovereignty and held to the “one China principle.” The two countries thereby acquiesced to China’s distorted narrative, which challenges international norms and jeopardizes aviation safety. Their statements fully demonstrate that China was behind the incident. 

MOFA condemns China in the strongest possible terms for blatantly interfering in routine international civil aviation operations through political pressure and for politicizing and weaponizing flight information regions. 

President Lai Ching-te had been scheduled to lead a delegation to Eswatini, a diplomatic ally of Taiwan in Africa, at the invitation of King Mswati III to attend celebrations for the 40th anniversary of the king’s accession to the throne and his 58th birthday. However, the trip could not proceed as planned after Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar suddenly and without warning withdrew overflight permits for the president’s chartered plane. 

MOFA solemnly calls on the international community to pay due attention to China’s long-standing use of economic coercion to force other countries to reverse sovereign decisions. As well as undermining international peace and order, China is overtly interfering in the internal affairs of other nations. Its actions not only threaten Taiwan but also pose a major and far-reaching challenge to the global democratic order and the international rule of law.

MOFA reiterates that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign, independent nation. Neither it nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other. No pronouncement attempting to undermine Taiwan’s sovereign status can alter international recognition of the objective status quo across the Taiwan Strait. 

As a sovereign state, the ROC (Taiwan) has the right to engage with the international community. This right cannot be denied or obstructed by any country. Taiwan thanks Eswatini and other diplomatic allies and like-minded nations for their assistance with mediation efforts in this matter.

Taiwan will continue to deepen collaboration with like-minded nations, uphold democratic values, and further expand its international participation in a pragmatic and steady manner. In the face of external pressure, the country remains unwavering in its commitment to bringing Taiwan to the world and the world to Taiwan. (E)

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

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)

Foreign Minister Lin hosts luncheon to welcome Canadian parliamentary delegation

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Foreign Minister Lin hosts luncheon to welcome Canadian parliamentary delegation

Date:2026-01-14
Data Source:Department of North American Affairs

January 14, 2026  
No. 014  

On behalf of the government, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung hosted a luncheon on January 13 to warmly welcome a five-member delegation of Canadian parliamentarians. During the luncheon, the two sides exchanged views on regional developments and the deepening of bilateral economic and trade exchanges and various forms of cooperation.
 
In his remarks, Minister Lin noted that this was the first time a Canadian parliamentary delegation had traveled to Taiwan since Canada’s federal election last year and that the timing of the visit demonstrated the enduring friendship between the two countries. He also reiterated that Taiwan welcomed Canada’s expression of concern over China’s recent large-scale military exercises, as well as Canada’s repeated dispatch of naval vessels through the Taiwan Strait over the past three years, demonstrating Canada’s firm commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. Minister Lin declared that Taiwan, standing on the front line against the expansion of authoritarianism, would continue to collaborate with Canada and other democratic allies to jointly defend their shared values and way of life.
 
In addition, Minister Lin emphasized that Taiwan and Canada were natural partners due to their shared values and highly complementary economic structures. He then conveyed the hope that the two countries would advance hand in hand as they moved toward an era of AI-driven innovation.
 
Melissa Lantsman, Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, pointed out that Taiwan was a trustworthy partner in the areas of democracy and innovation and that the visit aimed to convey the strong support of the Canadian parliament and to enhance bilateral cooperation in trade, energy, supply chain resilience, and innovation. She added that Canada backed Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations and looked forward to the two countries jointly addressing the challenges of transnational repression and disinformation. 
 
Moreover, Ms. Lantsman asserted that, in facing the growing severity of authoritarian pressure, building economic and social resilience grounded in democratic values would be the best course of action. She also remarked that this visit highlighted the importance of bilateral interaction, dialogue, and consistency and that her country hoped that Taiwan and Canada would continue bolstering mutually beneficial bilateral relations in the future.
 
MOFA thanks the Canadian parliament for its long-standing, concrete, and staunch support for Taiwan. Looking ahead, Taiwan will continue to promote interaction and exchange with Canada and work with it to strengthen the international order based on democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. (E)

MOFA strongly condemns China’s malicious claims and interference concerning President Lai’s visit to Eswatini; urges countries to uphold international order

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA strongly condemns China’s malicious claims and interference concerning President Lai’s visit to Eswatini; urges countries to uphold international order

Date:2026-05-07
Data Source:Department of West Asian and African Affairs

May 7, 2026  No.184  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) condemns and denounces in the strongest terms China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for issuing a series of statements on May 6 that were malicious, disparaging, and contravened international norms. The remarks were in response to media inquiries concerning President Lai Ching-te’s visit to Eswatini.

As a sovereign and independent country, the Republic of China (Taiwan) has the fundamental right to conduct legitimate and routine mutual visits and exchanges between heads of state with allied nations. Such visits are also standard diplomatic practice. 

The original flight plan for President Lai’s visit fully complied with international civil aviation regulations. Yet China used all manner of measures to preemptively obstruct the normal overflight of the chartered plane used by Taiwan’s president. This undermined the international order and the sovereignty of other countries. Then, following the conclusion of President Lai’s trip, China disseminated disparaging remarks concerning the legitimate and legal trip by Taiwan’s head of state in an attempt to distort the truth and mislead the public.

Furthermore, China’s inappropriate comments smearing the prominent political figures of Eswatini, Taiwan’s staunch diplomatic ally in Africa, amount to utterly baseless disparagement. They are deeply offensive to the sovereignty of Eswatini and the dignity of its head of state. Cooperation between the two countries is based on parity, reciprocity, and mutual benefit. China’s contempt for other countries’ sovereign choices is rooted in a hegemonic mindset. It once again demonstrates the malign nature of China’s long-standing intimidation tactic—coercing other countries into accepting its political stance. It also reveals China’s persistent disregard for the international order and universal values grounded in democracy, freedom, and human rights.

With regard to China’s absurd statement that countries deferring to China’s stance upheld the “one China principle” in refusing to issue overflight permits for President Lai’s chartered plane, MOFA reiterates that the ROC (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent country; that neither the ROC (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is subordinate to the other; and that the PRC has never governed Taiwan. 

China continues to challenge the rules-based international order and objective status quo, openly flaunting an imperious mindset. MOFA calls on the international community to take the situation seriously and to recognize that China’s continued propagation of distorted historical narratives and statements, seconded by its actions, has severely undermined peace and stability in the international community.

MOFA emphasizes that no form of suppression can negate the factual existence of Taiwan or interfere with Taiwan’s determination to engage with the world. MOFA urges global democratic partners to recognize the pressing threat posed by the PRC’s authoritarian expansionism and to jointly safeguard international law and flight safety while maintaining the shared interests of the international community. (E)

MOFA solemnly refutes claims regarding Taiwan’s international participation made in meeting between KMT and CCP leaders

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA solemnly refutes claims regarding Taiwan’s international participation made in meeting between KMT and CCP leaders

Date:2026-04-10
Data Source:Department of Policy Planning

April 10, 2026  No. 141  Chair of the Kuomintang (KMT) Cheng Li-wun met with General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Xi Jinping on April 10. Following the meeting, Chair Cheng stated that Taiwan had previously participated in several international organizations under the “1992 consensus.” She also said that after mutual political trust had been restored, the two sides of the Taiwan Strait should take steps to facilitate Taiwan’s return to or participation in international organizations and regional economic integration mechanisms. She further added that General Secretary Xi had responded very positively to her remark.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. China has no right to comment on or obstruct Taiwan’s right to participate in such international organizations as the United Nations. Taiwan’s participation in international organizations is a legitimate and legal right grounded in its sovereignty, and should not be predicated on the prior consent of or political preconditions set by China.The Beijing authorities have long maliciously misrepresented United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 on the international stage, sought to entirely block Taiwan’s participation in international affairs, and frequently threatened Taiwan’s sovereignty, as well as the lives and rights of its people, with the use of military force. In addition, China has inappropriately obtained leadership positions in several international organizations through bribery and deception, thereby unjustly excluding Taiwan’s participation and changing the rules-based international order.MOFA strongly refutes the idea that the rights of the Taiwanese people are something to be granted or withheld by the Beijing authorities as they please. China aims to deceive Taiwan’s society into following its preconditions. It uses Taiwan’s international participation as leverage while gradually eroding Taiwan’s sovereignty and diplomatic space.Taiwan is a democratic nation, and MOFA respects the fact that domestic political parties engage in cross-strait exchanges in accordance with the law. However, such interactions should not be conducted at the expense of Taiwan’s sovereignty, security, and democracy. The people of Taiwan should remain aware of the malicious nature of Beijing’s long-standing obstruction of Taiwan’s participation in international affairs, as well as its veiled attempt to circumvent the government empowered by the people of Taiwan, harm Taiwan’s sovereignty, and undermine the people’s long-term interests. In line with the policy framework of integrated diplomacy, MOFA will continue to actively promote Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations and multilateral mechanisms. MOFA also urges other countries to further support Taiwan’s participation in global endeavors based on shared values and common interests. Taiwan is dedicated to being a force for good in maintaining peace, stability, and prosperity throughout the world. Taiwan will remain unwavering in upholding this commitment regardless of any pressure it may face. (E)

Speech by SITI at forum organised by Healthtech Finland and Finland Chamber of Commerce in Helsinki, Finland (English only)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at a forum organised by the Healthtech Finland and the Finland Chamber of Commerce in Helsinki, Finland on May 13 (Helsinki time):

Marko (Minister Counsellor, Trade and Business Promotion, Embassy of Finland, Beijing, Mr Marko Tiesmäki), Timo (Consul-General of Finland to Hong Kong, Mr Timo Kantola), Saara (CEO of Healthtech Finland, Ms Saara Hassinen), ladies and gentlemen,

RTHK signs Memorandum of Understanding with TDM

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

RTHK signs Memorandum of Understanding with TDM  
     Ms Kwan stated that RTHK hopes the memorandum will further deepen co-operation with TDM, deepen mutual understanding between audiences in Hong Kong and Macao, and strengthen public appreciation of history of the nation. She pointed out that RTHK has actively expanded its collaboration network, establishing partnerships over the past year with broadcasters in Malaysia, Vietnam, Guangdong, and Guangxi etc. Leveraging Hong Kong’s advantage of connecting the Mainland and the world, RTHK programmes have reached audiences across different regions. She reaffirmed RTHK’s commitment to telling the good stories of the country and promoting Chinese culture.
 
     During her visit, Ms Kwan also attended the 121st ABU Administrative Council Meeting, where she exchanged views with broadcasting professionals from various countries and regions. RTHK has been an active participant in the ABU, serving as a member of the Administrative Council for over 20 years. RTHK will host the ABU Robocon 2026 this August in Hong Kong, bringing together over 300 elite engineering students in teams from 15 Asia-Pacific countries and regions. As the largest university-level robotics competition in the Asia-Pacific region, the ABU Robocon serves as a premier platform for technical excellence and ingenuity. By hosting this international event in Hong Kong, RTHK aims to foster greater exchange and collaboration among young people in engineering, technology and innovation across the region.
Issued at HKT 22:30

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