MOFA response to remarks made by Polish Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski regarding Taiwan

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to remarks made by Polish Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski regarding Taiwan

March 3, 2026  
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs notes that Radosław Sikorski, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, presented an annual report on foreign policy tasks at the Sejm on February 26. In his remarks, Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski said that with a war raging on the other side of its border, it was natural for Poland to focus on its immediate neighborhood. However, he added that it would be wrong to ignore more distant partners. He mentioned strengthening strategic partnerships with the Republic of Korea and Japan and advancing security consultations with Australia and New Zealand. Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski also stated that Poland remained consistently interested in technological cooperation with partners in Taiwan. 
 
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung applauds Poland for its continued focus on the Indo-Pacific region and for highlighting its interest in technological collaboration with Taiwanese partners.
 
Taiwan and Poland share the universal values of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. Bilateral relations have continually advanced in recent years with strong support from all sectors. The two countries have cooperated closely in such spheres as economics, trade, legal affairs, education, culture, and biomedicine and have further promoted exchanges in fields including semiconductors, cybersecurity, and pandemic prevention. MOFA looks forward to continued technological collaboration between Taiwan and Poland. When fellow democracies work together on technology and democratic supply chains, it will generate added value for both sides and create shared benefits and prosperity.

MOFA response to statement by Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi on deepening exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to statement by Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi on deepening exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan

February 11, 2026On February 10, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan held its first press conference since the recent House of Representatives election. During the briefing, Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi stated that Taiwan and Japan shared fundamental values and maintained close economic ties and people-to-people exchanges. He said that Taiwan was an extremely important partner and valued friend for Japan, adding that the government of Japan would maintain its existing position and further deepen bilateral cooperation and exchanges. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung appreciates and welcomes the remarks. Both following the inauguration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s cabinet last October and this election, Japan has promptly expressed its willingness to further strengthen cooperation and exchanges with Taiwan. The statements are concrete demonstrations of the profound friendship shared by the two countries and the Japanese administration’s consistent stance of attaching great importance to cordial Taiwan-Japan ties. Building on the existing solid foundation of bilateral relations and guided by the policy of integrated diplomacy, Taiwan will continue to work with Japan to deepen substantive cooperation in all spheres, further elevate ties to a mutually beneficial and comprehensive partnership, and jointly contribute to regional peace, stability, and prosperity.

MOFA response to false and threatening statements on Taiwan’s sovereignty made by Chinese Defense Minister Dong during meeting with US Secretary of War Hegseth

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to false and threatening statements on Taiwan’s sovereignty made by Chinese Defense Minister Dong during meeting with US Secretary of War Hegseth

October 31, 2025  

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) solemnly reiterates that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent country; that neither the ROC (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other; and that the future of Taiwan can only be decided by the people of Taiwan. These are objective facts and the general consensus of the international community.
 
China continues to exert pressure on other nations, attempting to coerce them into aligning with or accepting its position. This underscores China’s arrogance and hegemonic mentality. MOFA calls on the world to work with democratic Taiwan to safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the region and to oppose China’s efforts to unilaterally change the status quo.
 
MOFA refutes in the strongest possible terms the fallacious and threatening statements made by Chinese Minister of Defense Dong Jun during his meeting with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus in Malaysia on October 31, including his remarks that the United States should be cautious in its words and actions regarding Taiwan and that it should “take a clear stance against Taiwan independence.”

MOFA response to article in US-based Time magazine concerning President Lai

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to article in US-based Time magazine concerning President Lai

October 24, 2025  
 
The government of Taiwan has always taken a responsible approach in staunchly safeguarding the status quo of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and promoted its cross-strait policy in a steady, rational, and pragmatic manner. Taiwan’s commitment to maintaining the status quo has never changed, nor has Taiwan ever sought to raise tensions.
 
President Lai Ching-te has repeatedly emphasized that peace is the only option. Maintaining the status quo across the Taiwan Strait has been Taiwan’s consistent position and is the shared consensus of the international community. Furthermore, it should be noted that China is the source of disruption to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait due to its persistent rhetorical and military aggression against Taiwan—including military exercises, gray-zone threats, and cognitive warfare.
 
In facing these external challenges and threats, the government of Taiwan will continue to enhance its self-defense capabilities and build whole-of-society resilience so as to ensure citizens’ safety and the sustainable operation of its democratic system. Such efforts will also serve to uphold cross-strait peace and regional stability.
 
At the same time, as a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will continue to cooperate with like-minded nations to jointly defend the rules-based international order and contribute to peace, stability, and prosperity throughout the Indo-Pacific.

MOFA solemnly refutes false claims made by China’s Foreign Ministry regarding Taiwan

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA solemnly refutes false claims made by China’s Foreign Ministry regarding Taiwan

October 22, 2025  

On October 21, a spokesperson of China’s Foreign Ministry falsely claimed that Taiwan was an inalienable part of China’s territory and that the Taiwan question was purely China’s internal affair. 
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) solemnly reiterates that neither the Republic of China (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other and that the international community recognizes this status quo. In accordance with Taiwan’s democratization process and the principle of self-determination of peoples enshrined in the United Nations Charter, Taiwan’s sovereignty belongs to the people of Taiwan. This is an irrefutable fact. MOFA categorically refutes China’s false claims and calls on its government to face reality rationally and cease all attempts to mislead the international community.

Foreign Minister Lin meets with delegation led by member of Japanese House of Representatives and former Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Foreign Minister Lin meets with delegation led by member of Japanese House of Representatives and former Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato

Date:2026-01-15
Data Source:TAIWAN-JAPAN RELATIONS ASSOCIATION

January 15, 2026  
No. 016  

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung on January 15 met with member of the Japanese House of Representatives and former Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato. The delegation also included Representative Kosaburo Nishime, who formerly served as minister of reconstruction, and Representative Junji Fukuhara. The two sides engaged in exchanges on such issues as the regional situation, economic security and resilience, and Taiwan-Japan interactions.
 
In his remarks during the meeting, Minister Lin began by welcoming Representative Kato and the delegation. Thanking Mr. Kato for helping facilitate Japan’s donation of vaccines to Taiwan during the COVID-19 pandemic during his tenure as chief cabinet secretary, Minister Lin said that the Taiwanese people remained deeply grateful for this gesture. He also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the government of Japan for having emphasized the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait at key international forums on numerous occasions.
 
Minister Lin went on to state that he looked forward to Taiwan and Japan signing a free trade agreement and economic partnership agreement at the earliest possible juncture, as well as Japan assisting in Taiwan’s timely accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, which he said would deepen the two countries’ economic partnership and help them jointly advance regional prosperity. Adding that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s focus on the growth of 17 strategic sectors enjoyed many similarities with President Lai Ching-te’s Five Trusted Industry Sectors, he said he hoped that Taiwan and Japan would continue to deepen cooperation and exchanges in related fields.
 
During his remarks, Representative Kato observed that Taiwan and Japan were important partners that shared universal values. Noting that true friendship is demonstrated in times of adversity, Mr. Kato thanked Taiwan for its assistance following the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes and for providing Japan with medical masks, pulse oximeters, oxygen concentrators, and other medical equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic. He added that he had been delighted to learn that more than six million visits had been made to Japan by Taiwanese travelers in 2024 and that this number had risen further by 10 percent in 2025. He said he believed that personal and economic exchanges between Taiwan and Japan would grow even closer moving forward.
 
This is Representative Kato’s first visit to Taiwan. Mr. Kato is an influential figure who has long occupied a central role in Japanese politics. In addition to previously serving as chief cabinet secretary under Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, he has also held such posts as minister of health, labour and welfare and minister of finance. (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 thanks Thailand and Vietnam for concern over Taiwan Strait peace and stability and support for maintaining status quo

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA thanks Thailand and Vietnam for concern over Taiwan Strait peace and stability and support for maintaining status quo

Date:2025-11-28
Data Source:Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

November 28, 2025No. 509  In separate public statements, the governments of Thailand and Vietnam recently expressed high concern regarding Taiwan Strait peace and stability. Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that cross-strait peace and stability were crucial both to ASEAN and to Thailand and urged all parties to manage the situation with prudence.Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that peace, stability, and cooperation in the Taiwan Strait were of significance to the region and the world and said it hoped that all relevant parties would actively contribute to regional peace and development.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) commends these statements by the governments of Thailand and Vietnam.MOFA believes that the proclamations issued by the governments of Thailand and Vietnam expressing the above positions reflect the objective reality of China’s recent high-pressure coercion of Japan and show that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait have become important security issues in the Indo-Pacific. Indeed, maintaining the status quo is the general expectation of the international community, which sees this as key to preserving regional stability. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will continue to cooperate with like-minded nations to jointly uphold the rules-based international order.Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung states that Taiwan Strait security is crucial to regional and global stability. The international community’s close attention to this matter demonstrates that sustaining peace across the Taiwan Strait has become a widespread consensus among nations. Taiwan will continue to promote integrated diplomacy and work with like-minded partners in Southeast Asia and around the world to safeguard peace, stability, and prosperity throughout the Indo-Pacific. (E)

MOFA strongly refutes false claims regarding Taiwan’s sovereignty by Colombia’s Foreign Ministry

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA strongly refutes false claims regarding Taiwan’s sovereignty by Colombia’s Foreign Ministry

Date:2025-11-27
Data Source:Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs

November 27, 2025  
No. 503  
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia on November 26 issued a statement repudiating the potential establishment of a Colombian office in Taiwan and presenting an incorrect narrative that made false claims about Taiwan’s sovereign status. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) strongly protests the statement.
 
MOFA reiterates that the ROC (Taiwan) is a sovereign, independent nation; that neither the ROC (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other; and that the PRC has never governed Taiwan. These are objective facts widely recognized by the international community, as well as the cross-strait status quo. The Colombian government’s disregard for the right and desire of the Taiwanese people to pursue freedom and democracy contradicts Colombia’s long-standing position of urging the international community to respect other nations’ right to self-determination. MOFA calls on the government of Colombia to uphold the principles of diplomatic autonomy and national dignity and to refrain from echoing false claims propagated by the authoritarian Chinese government.
 
Regarding the Colombian government using the inappropriate “one China principle” as a pretext for its self-imposed restriction on the opening of an office in Taiwan, MOFA reminds Colombia that it previously opened a commercial office in Taiwan in 1995, which was closed in 2002 due to financial difficulties faced by its own government. This fact demonstrates that opening an office in Taiwan would not contravene Colombia’s long-standing diplomatic policy. As Taiwan is the world’s 21st-largest economy, the reopening of a Colombian office in Taiwan would help Colombian businesses build a stronger presence in the Taiwan market and allow them to leverage the operational networks of Taiwanese companies in Asia so as to facilitate their regional expansion. This would be mutually beneficial, especially for Colombia. 
 
MOFA urges the Colombian government to heed the voices of its people as conveyed by the Colombian lawmakers and to give pragmatic consideration to the establishment of an office in Taiwan so as to strengthen bilateral economic and trade exchanges. This action would best support the well-being of its people. (E)

Foreign Minister Lin meets with Paraguayan delegation led by Vice Foreign Minister Verdún

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

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