Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to Czech President Pavel lauding successful Taiwan-Czech cooperation at Ukraine Recovery Conference

July 11, 2025  

President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel on July 10 attended the fourth Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome, where he explained Czech contributions to Ukraine’s reconstruction in an address to a plenary session with heads of state and government. In his remarks, he highlighted a successful project undertaken by the Czech Republic and Taiwan to provide safe drinking water to 380,000 residents of Dnipropetrovsk in eastern Ukraine and deliver power generation equipment to Kharkiv to give local people access to electricity. He stressed that these endeavors were a model of cooperation between like-minded democracies. 
 
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung welcomes President Pavel’s public statement and reiterates that Taiwan and the Czech Republic are like-minded democratic partners. Taiwan will continue to work with the Czech Republic and other like-minded nations in Europe on providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine, thereby underscoring staunch support for democracy, freedom, human rights, and peace. 
 
Since the war between Russia and Ukraine began, the governments of Taiwan and the Czech Republic have signed three memoranda of understanding on cooperation. These address issues such as reconstructing basic infrastructure in Ukraine, including water and electricity, improving Ukraine’s primary healthcare capacity, and supporting the Ukrainian people in efforts to rebuild their country. Taiwan is also cooperating closely with other European nations to assist Ukraine.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to NATO Secretary General Rutte’s statements in joint press conference with German Chancellor Merz on China’s military expansion

July 10, 2025North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Mark Rutte met with German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz on July 9. During the joint press conference following the meeting, Secretary General Rutte stated that the scale of the Chinese navy had already surpassed that of the United States and that China had over 1,000 nuclear warheads at its disposal. He indicated that China’s military expansion had clearly developed toward combat readiness and that China’s ambitions to get control over Taiwan were obvious. He noted that if China decided to launch an attack against Taiwan, it would likely partner with Russia to create a parallel conflict in Europe, thereby keeping Europe preoccupied. Secretary General Rutte stressed that these developments had plainly demonstrated that transatlantic and Indo-Pacific security was increasingly intertwined. He added that faced with a potential joint threat from China and Russia, NATO must strengthen its collective military capabilities and deepen cooperation with allies in the Indo-Pacific region to effectively deter any possible military aggression. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes these statements concerning regional developments.Since assuming office in October 2024, Secretary General Rutte has repeatedly called attention to the nature of China’s expansionist actions and its aggressive ambitions toward Taiwan. He has also actively urged people everywhere to pay heed to the challenges and risks that China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran pose to global peace and security. Authoritarian countries are coordinating efforts to undermine regional peace and stability and the international order. In the face of this, Taiwan— a responsible democratic member of the global community—will continue to work with the Group of Seven, NATO, and other like-minded partners to jointly safeguard peace, stability, and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to US House Africa Subcommittee Chairman Smith expressing concern over South Africa’s recent announcement regarding Taiwan’s liaison offices

July 23, 2025  

The US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee held a markup session on July 22 in which the US-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act of 2025 was discussed. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa, noted in his statement of facts that South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) had issued a statement on July 21 retroactively changing the name of the Taipei Liaison Office in the Republic of South Africa, which had been established by a formal agreement between Taiwan and South Africa in 1997. He said that the US Congress was closely following the issue and that any unilateral attempt to violate the bilateral agreement or change the status quo would be unacceptable. 
 
He added that the Chinese Communist Party’s human rights record and efforts to suppress Taiwan in South Africa were worrying and affected South Africa’s image as a reliable international partner. Chairman Smith commended the Democratic Alliance in South Africa’s government of national unity for defending democratic Taiwan and resisting pro-CCP actors in the government. He called on South Africa to reject pressure from the CCP and return to the legally binding status quo.
 
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung sincerely welcomes Chairman Smith’s statements and thanks him for speaking up for Taiwan. Minister Lin once again solemnly urges the South African government to uphold the spirit of the agreement, abide by the 1997 legal framework concerning bilateral relations between Taiwan and South Africa, and promptly engage in dialogue with Taiwan based on the principles of parity and dignity. He reiterates that South Africa should not unilaterally change the name or status of Taiwan’s liaison offices or employ any other coercive measures against them before both sides have reached a consensus through consultations.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to statements in French government’s updated Indo-Pacific strategy concerning Taiwan and cross-strait security

July 20, 2025On July 18, the French government released its newest Indo-Pacific strategy report (La stratégie indopacifique de la France), which pointed out that China’s growing assertiveness in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea was undermining security in the Indo-Pacific region. The report warned that a high-intensity conflict in the Taiwan Strait would have major repercussions, such as on the global economy, and would run the risk of expanding to other areas. In addition, it reaffirmed the French government’s commitment to preserving cross-strait peace and stability, as well as its opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force, threat, or coercion, and called for the peaceful resolution of cross-strait disputes.While the 2022 version of the report noted France’s concerns over tensions across the Taiwan Strait, this year’s version added France’s high regard for cross-strait peace and stability and opposition to unilateral changes to the status quo. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung deeply appreciates and welcomes the statements in the new report.The joint declaration following the UK-France summit on July 10, France’s the National Strategic Review 2025 of July 14, and the updated Indo-Pacific strategy all express concern over and support for cross-strait peace and stability, demonstrating that the issue has become a matter of international consensus and interest. Upholding the spirit of integrated diplomacy, Taiwan will continue to strengthen collaboration with France and other democratic partners to jointly defend freedom and democracy and safeguard peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya reiterating importance of cross-strait peace and stability during bilateral meeting with China’s Foreign Minister Wang

July 11, 2025 

Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya on July 10 met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting in Malaysia. Foreign Minister Iwaya stressed that cross-strait peace and stability were important to Japan and the international community. China’s large-scale military drills around Taiwan were incompatible with these goals, he said. He also reiterated opposition to any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo by force or coercion and stressed Japan’s serious concern over China’s expansion of naval and air activities near Japan and in the East China Sea, as these had contributed to a deteriorating regional situation.
 
China has repeatedly resorted to various pretexts to increase its threats and military intimidation of Taiwan, which has posed a serious challenge to security across the Taiwan Strait and in the region. This has elicited a great deal of international concern. In recent years, Japan has directly expressed its high level of concern over cross-strait and regional security during bilateral meetings with China. It has done so at the Japan-China summit meeting held alongside the ASEAN summit in Laos in October 2024, the Japan-China summit meeting held during the APEC summit in November 2024, as well as at the Japan-China foreign ministers’ meeting this March in Tokyo. This shows that Japan, in accordance with its staunch support for cross-strait peace and stability, has consistently conveyed its position to China. 
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses welcome at the international community’s continued use of concrete actions to uphold cross-strait security. Taiwan will continue to strengthen its self-defense capabilities and cooperate closely with like-minded countries to uphold international democracy, peace, and prosperity.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to UK-France leaders’ declaration reaffirming commitment to Taiwan Strait peace and stability

July 11, 2025Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom and President Emmanuel Macron of France met in London on July 10 for the 37th UK-France summit. In a declaration issued after their meeting, the two leaders said that European security was inextricably linked to the Indo-Pacific and that they would strengthen their coordination and work together for a free, open, and sovereign Indo-Pacific. They also jointly reaffirmed their commitment to peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula, in the South and East China Seas, and in the Taiwan Strait, calling for the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung sincerely welcomes and appreciates this declaration.The fact that the leaders of the United Kingdom and France once again expressed their commitment to cross-strait peace and stability following a similar statement released after the G7 leaders’ summit in June demonstrates that maintaining Taiwan Strait peace and stability has become a matter of international consensus. As a responsible and democratic member of the international community, Taiwan will continue to work with democratic partners around the world to contribute to the freedom, openness, and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region and jointly defend the rules-based international order.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

A spokesperson for the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) stated that regarding the judgment handed down by the Court of First Instance yesterday (July 23) on the judicial review concerning the provisions related to segregation of the sexes under the Public Conveniences (Conduct and Behaviour) Regulation (Cap. 132BL), the Government is carefully studying the judgment and seeking legal advice, and is considering lodging an appeal. At present, members of the public must continue to enter public toilets according to the principle of segregation of the sexes to avoid contravening the relevant laws.

The spokesperson for the EEB said, “The establishment of sex-segregated public toilets under the Public Conveniences (Conduct and Behaviour) Regulation aims to protect the privacy and safety of the public when using public toilets, and to reflect social norms and expectations. This arrangement has been widely accepted by society.”

Currently, public toilets under the purview of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) are categorised into sex-segregated public toilets and gender neutral public toilets. Sex-segregated toilets follow the segregation of the sexes under the Public Conveniences (Conduct and Behaviour) Regulation. At the same time, gender-neutral toilets are available near about half of all sex-segregated toilets , including “Accessible Toilets” or “Unisex Toilets”, which are available for use by all members of the public, including transgender individuals.

In this judicial review, the Court of First Instance ordered that the provisions related to segregation of the sexes under the Public Conveniences (Conduct and Behaviour) Regulation shall be struck down, and suspended the execution of the order for 12 months to allow the Government time to address the matter of transgender individuals with gender identity disorder using FEHD public toilets. As indicated above, the Government is carefully studying the judgment and seeking legal advice, and is considering lodging an appeal.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) supported the world premiere of “Wayne McGregor: On The Other Earth” at Biennale Danza 2025, as well as the opening reception “Pulse of the Pearl: Transcending Avant-Garde with Technology and Knowledge Transfer” on July 21 (Venice time) in Venice.

The world’s first post-cinematic choreographic installation co-created by Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong Ballet and Studio Wayne McGregor, “Wayne McGregor: On The Other Earth” blended live performance with cutting-edge digital art. 

Speaking at the reception, the Deputy Representative of HKETO, Brussels, Miss Fiona Li said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has set a clear vision to position Hong Kong as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchanges and is committed to nurturing a diverse talent pool, enriching arts and creative content, and fostering a dynamic and inclusive cultural ecosystem. 

She said, “Art does not thrive through government efforts alone. It requires the passion, dedication, and creativity of committed partners, individuals and institutions who believe in its transformative power. The installation is a powerful testament to Hong Kong’s creative spirit and its relentless drive to push boundaries, where artistic excellence, technological innovation, and global collaboration converge.”

Guests were also invited to visit Hong Kong to explore its rich and multifaceted cultural landscape.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     A spokesman for the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency (WFSFAA) said today (July 24) that the WFSFAA and the Police had recently conducted a joint operation to combat fraudulent acts by those seeking to obtain the Working Family Allowance (WFA) illegally. The Police have arrested a total of six people for allegedly defrauding or intending to defraud the WFSFAA, involving an amount of about $30,000.

     The Working Family Allowance Office of the WFSFAA, when processing WFA applications in April this year, detected suspicious documentary proof relating to employment and income submitted by some applicants. The WFSFAA swiftly reported the incident to the Police and referred the cases suspected of using false documents to the Police for investigation. After a thorough investigation, the Police carried out an operation recently and have arrested a total of six people so far for allegedly defrauding or intending to defraud the WFSFAA. The WFSFAA will continue to render full assistance to the Police in the investigation and recover the overpaid allowances from the relevant persons as appropriate in a timely manner.

     The spokesman said that the WFSFAA scrutinises every WFA application in a stringent manner and has established a mechanism to identify and guard against fraud cases. When detecting unlawful acts such as false information, fraudulence or other criminal elements in WFA applications, the WFSFAA will take appropriate follow-up actions, including referring any such suspected cases to the law enforcement agencies. The cases were discovered by the WFSFAA after identifying suspicious applications in the process of vetting applications. The WFSFAA will continue to examine WFA applications in a stringent manner to ensure the proper use of public funds. Members of the public are urged not to defraud the WFSFAA.  

     The WFA Scheme aims to support low-income working households, which are not receiving Comprehensive Social Security Assistance, by promoting full-time employment and self-reliance, as well as rewarding hard work. Applicants are required to submit documentary proof of working hours, income and assets to the WFSFAA for assessing their eligibility for the WFA. Every applicant for the WFA is required to sign a declaration in the application form to declare that the information provided, and the documentary proof submitted, are true, complete and accurate. The WFSFAA has also clearly stated in the application form that obtaining the WFA by deception is a criminal offence. In addition to being disqualified for the WFA, the applicant may also be prosecuted and liable on conviction to imprisonment for a maximum of 14 years under the Theft Ordinance (Cap 210). 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, officiated at Child Protection – Launching Ceremony of the Guide for Mandated Reporters today (July 24) to announce the official launch of the Guide for mandated reporters’ reference.

The Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance, which mandates 25 categories of specified professionals from the social welfare sector, education sector and healthcare sector to report serious child abuse cases, will commence on January 20, 2026, to create a wide and effective protection web for children. As such, the Government formed three professional consultative panels in each of the aforementioned sectors in early 2024 for formulating the Guide, which aims to assist mandated reporters in mastering child protection principles and identifying cases to be reported under the mandatory reporting regime.

Addressing the ceremony, Mr Sun said that the three professional consultative panels comprise cross-disciplinary professionals. Their professional exchanges on different cases not only have assisted in establishing a list of key factors that mandated reporters should take into consideration before deciding whether a report is necessary under different scenarios, but also laid an important foundation for the decision trees in the Guide, which further helps mandated reporters make reporting decisions and serves as a practical reference for mandated reporters.

He said that an electronic system of the decision trees has also been specially developed by the Social Welfare Department to assist mandated reporters in making an analysis of the case scenarios in a swift and convenient manner only by answering simple questions. The electronic system will also direct those cases that need mandatory reporting to the reporting page to ensure mandated reporters can make a report as soon as practicable.

At the ceremony, Mr Sun, accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Ms Alice Lau, and the Director of Social Welfare, Mr Edward To, officiated the launch of the Guide with the Chairman of the Legislative Council Panel on Welfare Services, Reverend Canon Peter Douglas Koon; Deputy Secretary for Health Ms Elaine Mak; the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime), Ms Chung Wing-man; and the Acting Principal Assistant Secretary (Special Education) of the Education Bureau, Ms Candy Chan.

The features of the Guide were introduced at the ceremony. A demonstration of the workflow of the electronic version of the decision trees to be rolled out was also featured. Three representatives from the professional consultative panels of the social welfare sector, education sector and healthcare sector shared their feelings about their participation in formulating the Guide. They commended the Guide as a successful example of cross-disciplinary efforts in promoting child protection. While formulating the Guide, the professional consultative panels discussed 650 case scenarios and questions collected from their sectors in 33 focus group meetings. The valuable advice gathered from the 540 frontline professionals participating in these focus group meetings became a helpful and important reference for the professional consultative panels to finalise the details of the Guide.

Mr To said that cross-disciplinary collaboration has long been indispensable to child protection. The Guide, which is a combination of local experience, practical wisdom and professional knowledge, not only symbolises a new milestone in child protection efforts, but also further promotes synergy across different disciplines.

The Government will roll out Module 2 of the online learning course for specified professionals in phases starting from next week, covering basic knowledge on the legal and reporting matters related to the Ordinance, including the key content of the Ordinance, a brief introduction to the Guide, analysis of common scenarios, reporting procedures, and post-reporting follow-up.