Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
​Hongkong Post announced today (March 26) that, as advised by the postal administration of Malta, due to the implementation of a new import system by the local customs, mail delivery services to the country are subject to delay.
Source:
(FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 07 March, 2025) – Diesel removal operation by the Salvage Company (“salvors”) contracted by New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), has come to an end, but further fuel extraction efforts and other recovery works continue on the sunken HMNZS Manawanui.
The diesel removal operation is only Phase 1 of the long recovery process. The priority is minimizing environmental impacts and ensuring a careful, thorough operation. The diesel removal operation started in the last week of December, 2024.
The salvors have reached and checked the fuel tanks, compartments, and other locations that could contain diesel fuel, oil, and other pollutants on the vessel.
In total, 55 tanks and compartments were reached and checked. Ten tanks were not accessed as they were known to be either empty or not to contain pollutants.
Over 320,000 litres of diesel fuel mixed with seawater have been removed, and from this, just over 300,000 litres of usable diesel fuel have been extracted.
Another 45,000 litres of liquid, including waste oils and diesel fuel/seawater, have also been removed and will be returned to New Zealand and processed for safe disposal.
Final amounts will be confirmed once assessments are completed.
As stated at the beginning of this work, while there may be a very small amount of residual diesel fuel remaining in the vessel, the team is confident that the salvors have been extremely careful and thorough. The salvors have checked tanks, compartments, and other locations that could contain diesel fuel, oil, and other pollutants.
Regular testing by the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa (SROS) has reported consistently low hydrocarbons and confirmed that the seawater and marine life in this area are clear and uncontaminated.
As a result, the precautionary zone in the area that carried a warning on fishing was reduced and eventually removed in February, 2025. Regular testing will continue.
Continuous environmental monitoring by Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in collaboration with SPREP and relevant agencies, has shown that the diesel fuel that initially escaped into the sea dissipated relatively quickly, evaporating due to wind and wave action, as is typical for this type of light diesel fuel.
All recovered items and the remaining unprocessed liquids will be transported back to New Zealand for processing and safe disposal.
Acknowledgement:
The MPAC Chairman and CEO MWTI, Afioga Fui Tupai Mau Simanu, would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and sincere appreciation to the village of Tafitoala, the district of Safata, and the general public for your unwavering support during the extraction works carried out by the salvors.
The dedication and spirit of community you have shown have played a pivotal role in ensuring the success of this operation, and we are deeply thankful for the vital role each of you has played.
For more information:
Contact Makerita Atonio-Iese, ACEO Maritime Division of the Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure on makerita.atonio@mwti.gov.ws or call 21611
END.
SOURCE – Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure Samoa
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
MOFA response to Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya reaffirming importance of cross-strait peace in meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang
Date：2025-03-23
Data Source：TAIWAN-JAPAN RELATIONS ASSOCIATION
March 23, 2025Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeshi Iwaya met with Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi in Tokyo on March 22. During the meeting, Minister Iwaya expressed concern over China’s military activities targeting Taiwan and reiterated that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait were of utmost importance to Japan and the international community. He also called for the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues and opposed any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force or coercion. The government of Japan has repeatedly emphasized the importance of cross-strait peace and stability at major international events in recent years, urging the global community to pay attention to security across the Taiwan Strait. These events included the US-Japan summit and the trilateral meeting between the US secretary of state and the foreign ministers of Japan and the Republic of Korea on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, both in February, as well as the Group of Seven foreign ministers’ meeting in March.Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung thanks Japan for continuing to follow security developments across the Taiwan Strait and staunchly supporting cross-strait peace and stability. He stresses that Taiwan has consistently welcomed international actions that contribute to safeguarding regional peace. Taiwan is committed to steadily enhancing its self-defense capabilities and bolstering cooperation with like-minded nations to jointly uphold peace, stability, and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific.
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
MOFA response to defense white paper stressing importance of cross-strait peace to Europe issued by European Commission and EU high representative
Date：2025-03-20
Data Source：Department of European Affairs
March 20, 2025
The European Commission and the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on March 19 issued the joint White Paper for European Defence—Readiness 2030. The paper expressed great concern over China’s rapid military buildup, noting that China was intensifying coercive political, economic, military, cyber, and cognitive measures against Taiwan. It emphasized that a shifting Taiwan status quo raised the risk of a major disruption that would have profound economic and strategic consequences for Europe.
The white paper also underscored the paramount importance of critical raw materials to economic and industrial production, defense capabilities, and competitiveness, adding that they were increasingly a cause for competition and conflict as an aspect of power politics. It pointed out that an escalation of tensions across the Taiwan Strait could cut off EU access to critical materials, technologies, and components. The paper further called attention to the cross-border challenges posed by hybrid threats and cyberattacks, noting that these would be addressed by the EU through greater security cooperation with like-minded partners worldwide.
In June 2023, the European Council summit adopted conclusions that for the first time included content highlighting EU concern over growing tensions across the Taiwan Strait and opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion. This affirmed that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are a common concern shared by the 27 EU member states. Last year, the European External Action Service (EEAS) issued statements in prompt response to China’s Joint Sword-2024A and Joint Sword-2024B military drills, stressing the strategic importance of cross-strait peace and stability to regional and global security and prosperity as well as the EU’s direct interest in the preservation of the Taiwan Strait status quo.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung sincerely welcomes and appreciates the EU’s continued close attention to developments across the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific, intense concern over all forms of Chinese coercion targeting Taiwan, and staunch support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Minister Lin reiterates that Taiwan will steadily deepen cooperation and exchanges with the EU and other like-minded partners to jointly safeguard the core values of freedom and democracy, uphold the rules-based international order, and demonstrate to the world its determination to defend its democracy.
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
March 19, 2025
In response to media inquiries regarding China’s recent joint combat readiness patrols near the Taiwan Strait, the United States Department of State reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to Taiwan across decades and administrations. It stressed that the United States would continue to support Taiwan in the face of China’s military, economic, information, and diplomatic pressure campaigns, as well as reiterating that the United States, along with international partners, staunchly supported cross-strait peace and stability and opposed any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force or coercion. It also pointedly noted that China could not issue brazen and irresponsible threats toward Taiwan and still expect the international community to believe in China’s self-proclaimed role as a stabilizing force in a turbulent world.
Regarding China’s comments on the 20th anniversary of its so-called “Anti-secession Law,” the US State Department cited public remarks by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in which he indicated that the United States would not alter its long-standing position of opposing any unilateral, forced, compelled, or coercive change to the status of Taiwan. The United States further emphasized that what had changed was the threat that China posed to Taiwan, including what Beijing referred to as a set of 22 judicial guidelines to impose criminal punishments on diehard Taiwan independence separatists, issued last year. In particular, the US State Department added that over the past 20 years, China’s intimidation campaign against Taiwan and Taiwan’s supporters in the United States and elsewhere had gone global, threatening free speech, destabilizing the Indo-Pacific region, and eroding norms that had underpinned the cross-strait status quo for decades. The US State Department said that in the face of such provocative and irresponsible actions by China, the United States remained committed to maintaining its ability to deter aggression and resist any use of force or other forms of coercion to protect the Taiwanese people from intimidation and harm.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung thanks the US State Department for reaffirming the United States’ staunch commitment to Taiwan, opposing the use of force or coercion to alter the status quo, and explicitly calling out China’s brazen and irresponsible threats, as well as its attempts to unilaterally change the status quo.
Recent actions have repeatedly proven that it is China that causes trouble across the Taiwan Strait and around the globe and seeks to unilaterally change the status quo. The international community sees through China’s ruse of attempting to deflect attention away from its own disruptive behavior and hypocrisy to bolster its reputation.
Taiwan, as a responsible member of the international community, will continue to work with the United States to jointly safeguard peace, stability, and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and the region. Taiwan urges nations worldwide to demonstrate collective concern over China’s military threats, lawfare and other gray-zone tactics, and unilateral actions that escalate regional tensions.
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
March 24, 2025No. 082In a cross-ministerial meeting at the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) on March 24, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung and Minister of Agriculture Chen Junne-jih decided to form a new smart agriculture advisory team. The team will bring together public and private resources from the government, industry, academia, research institutions, the agricultural industry, and other sectors. In the spirit of integrated diplomacy, the new group will jointly implement a smart agriculture flagship plan under the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project. Through coordination with diplomatic allies and friendly countries, the plan will enhance AI and digital technology applications in precision agriculture and other areas. Taiwan will work with partner countries to develop new smart agriculture, promote an agricultural Taiwan+n model (where n refers to a growing number of partners), and help the Taiwanese agricultural industry expand globally. Collaboration between Taiwan, partner countries, and friendly nations will also strengthen global food security, improve agricultural sustainability and resilience, and deliver a concerted response to the challenges of climate change.During the meeting at MOA, Minister Lin, Minister Chen, and their staff discussed how to expand agricultural cooperation projects with allies and friendly countries and create reciprocal and mutually beneficial business opportunities. They explored ways to assist countries in upgrading and transforming their farming sectors, increasing productivity and competitiveness, and achieving sustainable development. Potential avenues included technical cooperation, professional training, the establishment of demonstration sites, and business and investment matchmaking. The officials also discussed how to train young farmers and specialists in new smart agriculture both in Taiwan and target countries to give them a competitive edge.Meanwhile, the ministers deliberated on three key projects—expanding agricultural cooperation between Taiwan and the Philippines under the Executive Yuan’s economic diplomacy task force, further promoting smart aquacultural cooperation with Palau to develop its tourism industry, and exploring the possibility of cooperation to establish a seedling center in the Caribbean. They also exchanged views on organizing an agricultural trade goodwill mission to the United States in September.The agricultural industry is the bedrock of Taiwan’s economy and food security. President Lai Ching-te’s National Project of Hope includes the promotion of agricultural transformation and advancement to achieve sustainable resilience. The Executive Yuan’s Smart Taiwan 2.0 initiative also develops creative applications across various sectors. Under these policies and based on the new agriculture section of the Five Plus Two Industrial Innovation program, Minister Lin has launched a raft of new initiatives. These include promoting the concept of new smart agriculture; expanding applications of AI and smart solutions in agricultural production, management, and marketing; collaborating with MOA’s smart agriculture alliances; transforming agriculture to become smarter and more sustainable; and creating an international fleet focused on Taiwan’s new smart agriculture.Looking ahead, MOFA and MOA will continue working with partners from various sectors to assist diplomatic allies and friendly countries in adopting smart agricultural technology to enhance food security, realize sustainable development, and create shared prosperity and mutual benefits. In line with President Lai’s vision for sustainable resilience, the ministries will further contribute to global agricultural development and food security. MOFA and MOA will jointly support the efforts of Taiwanese agricultural businesses to expand their presence in the international market and ensure that Taiwan remains a thriving global economic powerhouse. (E)
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
MOFA sincerely thanks Belgian Chamber of Representatives for adopting resolution backing Taiwan and highlighting fact that UNGA Resolution 2758 takes no position on Taiwan
Date：2025-03-21
Data Source：Department of European Affairs
March 21, 2025
No. 079
The Chamber of Representatives of Belgium adopted a resolution on March 20 expressing concern over the growing threat of China to Taiwan. It passed with an overwhelming majority of 126 votes in favor, none against, and 13 abstentions. The resolution called on the government of Belgium to condemn through diplomatic channels China’s increasingly aggressive stance toward Taiwan and to demand that China alleviate tensions, end all provocations, and respect the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. It further noted that United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 did not take a position on Taiwan, and urged the Belgian government to clarify this fact at the United Nations.
In addition, the resolution advocated for the Belgian government to work with European partners to play an active role in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region, and pursue an economic agreement with Taiwan at the European Union-level to strengthen supply chain resilience. It also called on all levels of government in Belgium to collectively foster economic, scientific, and cultural cooperation with Taiwan; support Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and other international organizations; and continue to enhance civil society and media exchanges with Taiwan to jointly combat disinformation.
The resolution was introduced by Representative Els Van Hoof, Co-president of the Belgium-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group. The Belgian Chamber of Representatives adopted Taiwan-friendly resolutions in November 2015 and July 2020. This latest resolution was the first to condemn China’s threats against Taiwan and the first to be passed by the current Belgian parliament since it opened last July, which was of special significance to the advancement of Taiwan-Belgium relations.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung thanks the Belgian Chamber of Representatives for its support and emphasizes that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will build on the existing solid foundation to steadily deepen substantive exchanges and friendly cooperation between Taiwan and Belgium. (E)
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
The To promote ESG and SDGs sustainable development principles, the Kaohsiung-Pingtung Branch of the Bureau of Industrial Parks (BIP) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), held a public blood drive titled “Donate Blood to Help Others and Keep Love Alive” on the 27th at Cianjhen Technology Industrial Park. The event received enthusiastic participation from 15 companies, including Mutual Love Social Welfare Care Association, Health Center (Kaosiung Municipal Min-Sheng Hospital team), Radiant Opto-Electronics Corp., STL Technology Co., Ltd., Emerging Display Technologies Corp., Taiflex Scientific Co., Ltd., Mitsui High-Tech (TAIWAN) Co., Ltd., Nitto Denko Corp., Kaohsiung Opto-Electronics Inc., CTS Components Taiwan, Ltd., Walton Advanced Engineering, Inc., JET Optoelectronics Co., Ltd., Walsin Technology Corp., Taiwan Sugar Corporation Kaohsiung Branch, Taiwan IC Packaging Corp.. Many employees and community members joined the event, creating an atmosphere filled with warmth and positive energy.
At the event, Director Yu Shu-Hui of the Kaohsiung-Pingtung Branch presented trophies to co-organizing units, expressing gratitude for their strong support. She remarked, “I sincerely thank every blood donor for their selfless contribution and every staff member for their dedication. This heartwarming public welfare event has infused the New Year with love and vitality. We look forward to more companies and partners joining us in the future, continuing to spread kindness and warmth throughout society.”
To enhance donor convenience, three mobile blood donation units were deployed, along with a “real-time waiting queue tracker” to minimize wait times. The event began at 9:00 AM, and donors eagerly lined up, demonstrating overwhelming enthusiasm. According to the blood donation center, the event successfully recruited over 300 donors, collecting nearly 120,000 c.c. of blood, significantly replenishing the blood supply for urgent medical needs and showcasing the park’s strong commitment to public welfare.
Beyond blood donation, the Kaohsiung-Pingtung Branch’s Ethics Office, Environmental and Labor Affairs Division, Police Unit, Min-Sheng Hospital, and Cianjhen Public Health Center set up informational booths covering a range of important topics. These included anti-corruption awareness, Act of Gender Equality in Employment, fraud prevention, HIV/AIDS awareness, infectious disease control, smoking cessation, and chronic disease prevention-all aimed at enhancing health literacy and fostering a more supportive and informed community.
The event “Donate Blood to Help Others and Keep Love Alive” campaign not only contributed life-saving blood donations but also conveyed a profound message of care and social responsibility. The Kaohsiung-Pingtung Branch of BIP emphasized that its commitment to the principle of “Taken from the community, giving back to society”, pledging to organize more charitable initiatives in collaboration with enterprises in the industrial park to uphold sustainable development and extend the power of compassion.
Contact Person: Chen, Yi-Jun Environmental and Labor Affairs Division of the Kaohsiung-Pingtung Branch)
Contact Number: 886-7-8239-347
Email: kepzhf@bip.gov.tw
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
President Lai addresses annual meeting of the Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council via video
On the afternoon of March 26, President Lai Ching-te addressed the 2025 annual meeting of the Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council via video. In his remarks, he thanked the Consultative Council for being one of the strongest bridges of friendship between Taiwan and Japan, noting that the Consultative Council has not only been a long-time supporter of Taiwan’s international participation, but has also stepped up to increase mutual aid between Taiwan and Japan. The president expressed his hope of working closely with Japan to jointly build non-red supply chains to promote regional peace, stability, and prosperity. He also said that he looks forward to the Consultative Council continuing to offer its strong support for Taiwan, deepening our cooperation and together creating a bright future of mutual prosperity for Taiwan and Japan.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
In his remarks at the Yushan Forum earlier this month, Chairman Furuya Keiji stated in Taiwanese, “if Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem.” His words sent a shockwave through the audience, gaining its unanimous approval. Speaking today from the Presidential Office, on behalf of the people of Taiwan, I am happy to thank Chairman Furuya and the Consultative Council for their strong support of Taiwan. I am also honored to have the opportunity, at your annual meeting, to express the deepest gratitude to Chairman Furuya and all of our friends on the Consultative Council.
For over half a century now, the Consultative Council has been one of the strongest bridges of friendship between Taiwan and Japan. It has not only been a long-time supporter of Taiwan’s international participation, but whenever there were natural disasters or a pandemic, it has also stepped up to increase mutual aid between Taiwan and Japan.
Particularly due to the hard work of Chairman Furuya and all the members of the Consultative Council, beginning this May, members of the Taiwanese overseas community in Japan included in the country’s family registry system may list “Taiwan” in the field designating their nationality or region of origin. This change amply demonstrates the friendly relations between Taiwan and Japan.
Taiwan and Japan exemplify the adage that “a friend in need is a friend indeed.” We are also an interdependent community with a shared destiny. The international landscape of this year is complicated and changing. Whether the issue is climate change, economic security, or geopolitical change, Taiwan needs the close, hand-in-hand and heart-to-heart cooperation and mutual support of Japan and other like-minded nations. Only then can we meet all manner of challenges.
Former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo once said, “if Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem.” Responding in kind, I once said, “if Japan has a problem, then Taiwan also has a problem.” We hope, in face of expanding authoritarianism, to work closely with Japan to jointly build non-red supply chains. And we hope to stand firmly together to exert our strength as we collectively safeguard our democratic values and promote regional peace, stability, and prosperity.
Whether it is in the economy, culture, or technology, Taiwan and Japan have significant room for cooperation, and our deep friendship, which has been strengthened by the Consultative Council, is a major force in enhancing our bilateral ties. Thus I sincerely look forward to our good friends on the Consultative Council continuing to offer their strong support for Taiwan, deepening our cooperation and together creating a bright future of mutual prosperity for Taiwan and Japan.
Lastly, I once again thank the Consultative Council for the contributions it has made to exchanges between Taiwan and Japan. I want to wish today’s meeting a great success. May the Taiwan-Japan friendship reach ever-greater heights, and may all our friends on the council enjoy good health and success. Thank you all.
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong attended a press conference for the International Science, Technology & Innovation Forum (ISTIF) of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) 2025 Hong Kong Conference in Hainan this morning to provide more details on the Hong Kong Conference to be held in June.
BFA ISTIF Executive Chairman Leong Vai-tac also attended the press conference.
The ISTIF aims to strengthen global science and technology governance, promote international science and technology innovation and co-operation, lead the direction in rule making of emerging technologies, and contribute to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Three editions of the ISTIF have been held and it has become a premier platform for exchanges, dialogue and co-operation in the field of science and technology innovation.
The BFA and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will jointly host the ISTIF 2025 Hong Kong Conference at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre on June 6 and 7.
Under the theme of “Transitioning Towards the Future: Powered by Science & Technology Innovation”, the conference is expected to attract around 800 participants from the Mainland and overseas, including top-notch experts, scholars, government and business leaders to exchange views on the latest trends in global innovation and technology (I&T) development, the development and emerging opportunities in frontier technological fields, and to inject new impetus into the I&T development of the country and the world at large.
Prof Sun said that it is a great honour for the Hong Kong SAR Government to cohost the Hong Kong Conference with the BFA in Hong Kong.
He said hosting the Hong Kong Conference by the Hong Kong SAR Government does not only continue the ISTIF’s tradition of staging the event in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao GBA cities, but also reaffirms Hong Kong’s advantages as a highly internationalised city and its pivotal role of bridging the country and the world as a dual platform.
The conference will comprise the opening ceremony, a Hong Kong forum, sub-forums, panel discussions and round tables, with internationally renowned speakers who will share their insights on a wide range of topics, including global science and technology governance, sustainable development, innovation clusters, life sciences, future mobility, AI, quantum technology, financial innovation and youth leadership.