Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

ROC (Taiwan) government donates NT$5 million to assist in reconstruction efforts following Kumamoto earthquake in Japan

Date：2026-07-31
Data Source：TAIWAN-JAPAN RELATIONS ASSOCIATION

July 31, 2026  No. 352  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) announces that it will donate NT$5 million to assist in Japan’s reconstruction efforts following a 7.1-magnitude earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28. 

Based on the deep friendship between Taiwan and Japan, the donation aims to help local residents recover as quickly as possible. The disaster caused numerous casualties, the collapse of many buildings, and damage to roads and other infrastructure, and the area continues to face the threat of aftershocks. 

MOFA has also launched a fundraising campaign, with the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund opening a special account for related private sector donations.

Taiwan and Japan maintain robust bilateral relations, and their peoples enjoy close bonds. Over the years, the peoples and governments of the two countries have helped each other during emergencies, bolstering this profound friendship. 

In response to the Kumamoto earthquake, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung emphasizes that Taiwan has always stood with Japan and that Taiwan is more than willing to lend a helping hand whenever needed, thereby assisting with Japan’s disaster recovery. In addition, Minister Lin sincerely invites all members of Taiwan’s society to show solidarity with the earthquake victims as they rebuild their homes and return to normal life. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA announces visa application suspension for Moroccan nationals

Date：2026-07-30
Data Source：Department of West Asian and African Affairs

July 30, 2026  No. 348  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) announces that it will cease accepting visa applications from Moroccan nationals effective July 30 based on the principle of reciprocity in bilateral exchanges. Exceptions will only be made if special approval is given.

Morocco’s embassy in Japan notified Taiwanese travel agencies on July 23 that it would temporarily stop accepting applications for visa confirmation letters (VCL) from Taiwanese nationals. Subsequent inquiries confirmed that the Moroccan government had also instructed its other embassies and consulates worldwide to implement this measure. Taiwanese nationals who received a VCL before July 20 will still be permitted to enter Morocco for business or tourism purposes during their visa’s validity period.

Because Taiwanese nationals were not eligible for Moroccan e-visas, they could only travel to the country for short-term business or tourism activities by applying for VCLs at Moroccan embassies. Morocco’s decision to stop issuing such VCLs will create new obstacles for Taiwanese nationals who intend to travel to Morocco, thereby negatively impacting bilateral exchanges.

MOFA urges the Moroccan government to maintain convenient arrangements for business and tourism travel between Taiwan and Morocco and to resume regular people-to-people exchanges as soon as possible.

MOFA will closely monitor future developments in the Moroccan government’s visa policy regarding Taiwanese nationals and adjust its visa policy for Moroccan nationals accordingly. (E)

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government announced in the Gazette today that polling for the 2026 Election Committee Subsector Ordinary Elections to return elected members of the Committee’s new term will be held on November 22.

The polling date was specified by the Chief Executive in accordance with section 16 of the Schedule to the Chief Executive Election Ordinance.

The nomination period for the elections will run from October 7 to October 20. The Chief Electoral Officer will publish a notice specifying the period and address for the submission of nomination forms, and will announce further details in due course.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

On June 18, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) released the “2025 National Electricity Supply and Demand Report”, which provides a review of the electricity supply and demand situation in 2025; taking into account the impact of economic growth, electricity demand from AI data centers and the semiconductor industry, temperature conditions, and the promotion of deep energy saving, the report also forecasts Taiwan’s electricity demand over the next decade (2026-2035). At the same time, the report outlines plans to develop a diversified energy portfolio-aligned with the energy transition policy-to ensure a stable and reliable power supply.

According to the MOEA, electricity consumption in 2025 was driven by the growing adoption of AI and emerging technologies. High-value-added industries such as semiconductors maintained strong production momentum, boosting exports of electronic and ICT products while increasing electricity consumption in related manufacturing sectors. However, some traditional industries saw production decline in 2025 due to impact of evolving geopolitical situation and excess production capacity in China. Additionally, deep energy saving, lower overall temperatures, and the impact of multiple typhoons between July and September contributed to a slight decline in total electricity consumption. Compared with 2024, overall electricity consumption decreased by 840 million kWh, or approximately 0.3%. Moreover, thanks to effective dispatching by Taiwan Power Company (Taipower), the percent operating reserve exceeded 10% (indicating sufficient power supply, a “green light” status) for 342 days in 2025. Overall, electricity supply and demand conditions remained stable.

To meet future electricity demand, the assessment takes into account factors such as economic growth, temperature, and additional electricity demand arising from the expansion of the semiconductor industry, data centers and AI technologies, incorporating anticipated deep energy saving outcomes, and projects the average annual electricity demand growth rate from 2026-2035 to be approximately 2.5%. This is the second-highest projected growth rate among all historical forecasts and exceeds the projected growth rates of neighboring Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea.

In terms of the electricity supply, solar photovoltaic generation provides ample power during the day, and the primary supply challenge has shifted from daytime to the peak electricity consumption period at night. Maintaining a stable electricity supply during these periods requires the deployment of high-efficiency gas-fired power generation units combined with energy storage systems and dispatching of hydropower. Under the current plan, Taipower will construct new gas-fired units at its Taichung, Hsinta, Tunghsiao, Talin, and Hsieh-ho power plants. Additionally, the gas-fired power projects of Independent Power Producers (IPPs), such as Kuo Kuang and Mai Liao power plants, have been incorporated into the supply plan. These newly added gas-fired installed capacity is expected to add approximately 26 GW between 2026 and 2035, which will accommodate the long-term growth in power demand and ensure a stable power supply.

Recent situation in the Middle East have increased uncertainty about the global energy supply. To ensure stable power supply, countries around the world are strengthening the reserve capacity and operational flexibility of their power systems. For example, Japan has established reserve power generation arrangements by designating eligible existing thermal power units as backup resources. In response to risks affecting the international energy supply, South Korea has also relaxed operational restrictions on coal-fired power plants and postponed the decommissioning of certain coal-fired generation units. Considering that international energy markets remain unstable due to geopolitics in the Middle East, to reduce the risk of disruption to energy supplies or power system operations due to unforeseen events, the MOEA has instructed Taipower to ensure that contingencies are in place before decommissioning any type of generating unit. Whenever possible, available energy facilities should be retained to enhance operational flexibility and strengthen the resilience of the power supply system.

Regarding nuclear energy and the promotion of new energy technologies, the MOEA stated that it will approach issues related to the potential restart of nuclear power plants prudently, taking into account safety, legality, and public communication. The MOEA will also maintain an open mind concerning new nuclear technologies, actively monitor international developments and engage with new energy sources and technologies, and continue to evaluate diverse energy options suitable for Taiwan.

Lastly, the MOEA reiterated that Taipower and private enterprises have actively developed new power generation resources over the past decade (2016-2025) to ensure a stable electricity supply. These achievements include cumulative increases of approximately 19 GW in renewable energy installed capacity and 14 GW in thermal installed capacity respectively. Looking ahead, in light of evolving international energy conditions, domestic economic development, and growing electricity demand driven by AI applications, the government will continue to promote energy transition with the following objectives: maintaining a stable electricity supply, ensuring energy security, and achieving steady carbon reduction. The government aims to enhance the operational flexibility of the power system through diversified generation dispatch, strengthened grid resilience, and the preservation of necessary reserve resources, and hopes for continued support from all sectors to steadily advance the energy transition.

Spokesperson:
Deputy Director General Chen, Energy Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs
Tel: +886-2-2775-7700 / +886-919-998-339

Business Contact:
Director Hsia, Energy Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs
Tel: +886-2-2775-7753 / +886-910-668-295

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today ordered the immediate closure of a private housing estate swimming pool at 1-5 Ventris Road, Happy Valley, after a lifeguard on duty was found using a suspected fraudulent certificate.

After verifying a batch of lifeguard records with the Hong Kong China Life Saving Society today, the department found that the credentials of a life-saving attendant on duty at the pool yesterday did not match the society’s records.

As the qualifications of the life-saving attendant are in doubt and the pool has failed to provide a sufficient number of qualified attendants as required by law, the department ordered the immediate closure of the facility and is considering prosecuting its licensee.

In addition to reporting the case to the Police, the department has notified the Property Management Services Authority to take parallel follow-up action.

From January to the end of July, the department inspected more than 1,400 private swimming pools across the city and verified the qualifications of 2,100 life-saving attendants.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government announced today that the launch of a new batch of its Silver Bond, offering a minimum interest rate of 4.25%. 

The target issuance size of the Silver Bond is $50 billion, with each unit offered at $10,000 and a tenor of three years. Interest will be paid semi-annually.

Residents who turn 60 in or before 2027 and hold a valid Hong Kong identity card are eligible for subscription.

The bonds are the retail part of the Infrastructure Bond Programme. Proceeds will be credited to the Capital Works Reserve Fund for investment in infrastructure projects. The Government will publish information on the allocation of the proceeds on an annual basis.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan said that the Government continues to issue Silver Bond this year, offering senior citizens a safe, steady and low-risk investment option while encouraging the financial sector to tap into the business potential of the silver economy.

“Issued under the Infrastructure Bond Programme, proceeds from this batch of Silver Bond will be used to fund public works projects to push ahead Hong Kong’s infrastructure and urban development, enhancing people’s quality of life while enabling citizens to participate in and benefit from the city’s development,” Mr Chan said.

A maximum allocation of $1 million per investor is stipulated, meaning that each investor is allocated 100 units of retail bonds at most.

The subscription period will start from 9am on August 21 and end at 2pm on September 4, during which eligible residents can apply for the bonds through placing banks and designated securities brokers. The bonds will be issued on September 15.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

On the morning of August 5, President Lai Ching-te met with international participants from the Ketagalan Forum: 2026 Indo-Pacific Security Dialogue. In remarks, President Lai thanked the distinguished guests for traveling such a long way to support Taiwan through concrete action. The president stated that since taking office, he has advanced the Four Pillars of Peace action plan, which includes a firm commitment to boosting national defense and promoting all-out national defense; strengthening economic resilience and advancing the international expansion of trade and industry; collaborating with the international community to jointly demonstrate the strength of deterrence; and maintaining the status quo of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
Let me begin by once again welcoming our distinguished guests on behalf of all the people of Taiwan and thanking them for traveling such a long way to join us for the 10th Ketagalan Forum. It is truly an honor to welcome you all here at the Presidential Office today, and I want to make the most of this opportunity to exchange views with you and hear your valuable insights.
Taiwan lived through 38 years of martial law. Those dark years took a heavy toll on our people’s democracy, freedom, and human rights. It was only through the courageous struggle of the Taiwanese people, together with strong support from the international community, that we were able to lift martial law and set out on the path of democratization.
This year holds special significance for Taiwan. It marks the 39th year since the lifting of martial law, meaning the time Taiwan has spent as a democracy has now surpassed the 38 years it spent under martial law. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of Taiwan’s first direct presidential election. These numbers are more than a tally of years; they represent the path of democracy that the Taiwanese people have walked with courage and determination. That is why Taiwan will always uphold our commitment to a free and democratic constitutional system, our commitment that neither the Republic of China nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other, our commitment to resist annexation or encroachment upon our sovereignty, and our commitment that the future of the Republic of China Taiwan will be decided by its people.
To achieve these four goals, since taking office I have been advancing our Four Pillars of Peace action plan. The first pillar is strengthening our national defense. We firmly believe in peace through strength, and I agree with what former Prime Minister of Finland Sanna Marin has said, that compromise in the face of a powerful country cannot bring lasting peace. This year, Taiwan’s defense budget has already exceeded 3 percent of GDP, and we expect it to reach 5 percent by 2030. Beyond procuring weapons from other countries, we are also actively advancing self-sufficiency in national defense, with a particular focus on developing our drone industry. I also established the Office of the President Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee to promote all-out national defense. Today, Taiwan’s most important military exercises – our annual Han Kuang military exercises – are about to get underway. The exercises also include urban resilience drills that involve the general public.
The second pillar is strengthening economic resilience. Taiwan is no longer putting all its eggs in one basket, that is, China. In 2010, 83.8 percent of Taiwan’s outbound investment went to China; last year, that figure fell to just 3.7 percent. China also used to be the largest market for Taiwan’s agricultural exports, but that is no longer the case. In 2017, 20.7 percent of Taiwan’s agricultural exports went to China; last year, that dropped to 11.5 percent.
At the same time as we have been strengthening our economic resilience, the government has also been helping our trade and industries expand internationally. The results show that beyond Taiwan being able to reduce its dependence on China, economic performance has actually gotten stronger. Taiwan’s economic growth rate was 5.6 percent two years ago and 8.76 percent last year. This year, growth came in at 14.55 percent in the first quarter and 12.92 percent in the second, for an average of about 13.72 percent over the first half of the year. This is the best performance Taiwan has seen in 50 years.
The third pillar is collaboration with the international community. In the face of threats and intimidation from China, Taiwan must stand side by side with the international community so that we can jointly demonstrate the strength of deterrence. That is exactly why our guests’ visit to Taiwan, as well as your show of support for Taiwan through action, matters so much to us. Your actions show more than your friendship for Taiwan; they let the people of Taiwan feel the international community’s support and give us even greater confidence to stand firm in our ideals.
And the fourth pillar is this: Taiwan will maintain the status quo. It is China that is disrupting the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan is willing, under the principles of parity and dignity, to conduct exchanges and cooperate with China towards achieving peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and promote peace and mutual prosperity.
Former Canadian Minister of International Trade Ed Fast then delivered remarks, first thanking President Lai for his inspiring and thoughtful remarks, which he said remind the delegation why they are here. He expressed appreciation on behalf of the delegation for the invitation to take part in the Ketagalan Forum: 2026 Indo-Pacific Security Dialogue and for the generous hospitality extended to them. He said the delegation is grateful for the opportunity to visit Taiwan at such an important moment in the history of the Indo-Pacific, adding that the invitation reflects Taiwan’s longstanding commitment to engaging with friends and partners from around the world in a spirit of openness, mutual respect, and shared purpose.
Former Minister Fast said the Ketagalan Forum has become much more than an annual conference – it is an important venue where policymakers and stakeholders can exchange ideas, deepen relationships, and collectively confront the profound challenges facing the region and the world. Over the past several days, he said, the delegation discussed such topics as non-red supply chain resiliency, transnational repression, the intersection of economic and national security, gray-zone coercion, and middle-power engagement in a disrupted global order.
Former Minister Fast said that strategic competition is intensifying, supply chains are being reshaped, and global norms of conduct are collapsing. In such an environment, he continued, no country – large or small – can succeed in isolation. This, he said, is why forums such as the Ketagalan Forum have such value and matter so much. He explained that they build understanding, strengthen trust, and remind everyone that durable partnerships are founded not only on shared interests, but on shared values.
Former Minister Fast said that members of the delegation may not agree on every single issue, but suggested that they are united by the common conviction that peace is best preserved through dialogue, and that stability depends on respect for international law, the peaceful resolution of disputes, and the ability of nations to make their own choices free from coercion. He noted that most members of the delegation will now fly back to their home countries, where they so often take their freedom and security for granted, which is a luxury that Taiwan and the Taiwanese people do not have. Taiwan, he said, lives on the frontline of the battle between freedom and oppression, democracy and authoritarianism, and hope and despair, facing existential threats every single day from a hostile, belligerent, and aggressive neighbor across the strait.
Former Minister Fast said that Taiwan remains the world’s proof point that freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and free and open markets are essential to human flourishing, and that Taiwan has shown that economic dynamism, technological innovation, and respect for human dignity can flourish together. He pointed to these as achievements that have earned the admiration of people around the world. In closing, he once again thanked President Lai for the gracious welcome and for Taiwan’s leadership in convening this important dialogue. He wished Taiwan and its people every success and expressed hope for continued cooperation in pursuit of a peaceful, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
The delegation also included former Prime Minister Marin’s partner Joni Willberg, Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) Co-chair for Japan Nakatani Gen, former Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic Ivan Korčok, former US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Jedidiah Royal, member of the National Council of the Slovak Republic Štefan Kišš, Freedom House Chief Executive Officer Jamie Fly, and IPAC Executive Director Luke de Pulford.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Hong Kong Customs recently mounted enforcement operations to combat large-scale illicit cigarette smuggling activities by sea. From August 2 to 3, Customs detected two cases through intelligence exchanges, risk assessments and intelligence analyses. A total of about 8.12 million suspected illicit cigarettes with a total estimated market value of about $37 million and a duty potential of about $27 million were seized.

In the first case, Customs officers intercepted a 40-foot container, declared as carrying an enclosed lifeboat and a rescue boat, and arriving from Singapore for inspection on August 2 at the Kwai Chung Container Terminal. Upon inspection, Customs officers seized about 5.34 million suspected illicit cigarettes from the container. A 51-year-old local man connected with the case was arrested. Customs officers subsequently conducted a controlled delivery operation and further arrested a 68-year-old local man connected with the case.

In the second case, Customs officers intercepted a 40-foot container, declared as carrying toothpaste, skincare products and other goods, and arriving from Incheon, Korea, for inspection on August 3 at the same container terminal. Upon inspection, Customs officers seized about 2.78 million suspected illicit cigarettes from the container. A 42-year-old local man connected with the case was arrested.

The operations displayed Customs’ enforcement effectiveness in intercepting cross-border illicit cigarettes at the source through co-operation with law enforcement agencies in the region. The department will continue to foster collaboration and strengthen intelligence exchanges between regional partners in law enforcement, and vigorously combat cross-border illicit cigarette activities.

Customs stresses that smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60), any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years. Moreover, under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109), any person who deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, and the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Cecilia Fan, visited the soon-to-open Kai Tak Hospital (KTH) today (August 6) to learn about the facilities of the new hospital, as well as the preparatory work and service arrangements for its first-phase operation. 

     Accompanied by the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority (HA), Dr Libby Lee; the Director of Cluster Services of the HA, Dr Wong Yiu-chung; and the Cluster Chief Executive of Kowloon Central Cluster and Hospital Chief Executive of KTH, Dr Eric Cheung, Professor Lo and Dr Fan visited various facilities in the hospital’s Specialist Out-patient Clinic Block and the Oncology Block. These facilities will commence operations in the first phase, covering the Family Medicine Integrated Centre (FMIC), Specialist Out-patient Clinics, the Oncology Day Centre, as well as the Patient Resource Centre, and the visitors were briefed on the relevant services.