Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA thanks French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Barrot for reaffirming France’s stance against unilateral attempts to change status quo across Taiwan Strait by force

Date：2025-11-07
Data Source：Department of European Affairs

November 7, 2025No. 455 While attending a regular hearing of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee on November 5, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot stated in response to a question that France strongly opposed any unilateral attempt to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait by force or coercion. He also commended close cooperation between Taiwan and France in key areas including energy, batteries, AI, and semiconductors, saying that such collaboration was in line with France’s policies on promoting reindustrialization, competitiveness, and national self-sufficiency.Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung welcomes these statements and thanks France for its firm support of maintaining the status quo across the Taiwan Strait through peaceful means and for publicly stressing at numerous domestic and international occasions the importance of cross-strait peace and stability to global security and prosperity. Taiwan and France share the universal values of democracy, freedom, and human rights. Exchanges between the two countries in such areas as economics, trade, technology, energy transition, education, and culture have borne much fruit in recent years.Moving forward, MOFA will continue to work closely with France and other like-minded European countries to jointly strengthen democratic resilience and advance peace, stability, and prosperity throughout the Indo-Pacific region and across the globe. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

New Zealand government grants Taiwan nationals access to e-gate services

Date：2025-10-13
Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

October 13, 2025 
No. 403 

Thanks to the joint efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Ministry of the Interior (MOI), Immigration New Zealand, and the New Zealand Customs Service in promoting reciprocal access to automated immigration and customs inspection and clearance services, the New Zealand government announced today that starting from October 13, Taiwan e-passport holders were eligible to use e-gates when entering and departing New Zealand.
 
According to MOI data, this makes New Zealand the eighth country to grant Taiwan nationals access to automated customs clearance services following the United States (where nationals are required to pay an application fee for the service), the Republic of Korea, Australia, Italy, Germany, Singapore, and Malaysia.
 
As New Zealand has already granted Taiwan nationals access to its online New Zealand Traveller Declaration (www.travellerdeclaration.govt.nz), travelers only need to complete a declaration up to 24 hours before boarding their flight to be able to use e-gate services upon arrival in New Zealand. This provides them with a more efficient and seamless clearance process.
 
In accordance with the principles of parity and reciprocity, Taiwan is now working toward granting New Zealand e-passport holders access to Taiwan’s e-gate services. This arrangement is expected to be implemented by late November or December 2025.
 
Taiwan and New Zealand are like-minded partners that share the values of democracy, freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. With around 60,000 journeys being made between the two countries annually, reciprocal e-gate access will make travel even more convenient and facilitate closer cooperation and exchanges across various fields.
 
Moving forward, the MOI will continue to promote the reciprocal use of e-gates with other countries. This will allow Taiwan nationals to travel overseas in greater convenience and dignity while also attracting even more international tourists to Taiwan. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA solemnly refutes falsehoods and threatening language used against Taiwan by China’s defense minister at Beijing Xiangshan Forum

Date：2025-09-18
Data Source：Department of Policy Planning

September 18, 2025  
No. 349  

China’s Defense Minister Dong Jun stated during the Beijing Xiangshan Forum on September 18 that Taiwan’s return to China was an important element of the post-World War II international order and that it was an indisputable historical and legal fact that Taiwan was a part of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Stating that the People’s Liberation Army had long been a powerful force in defending the unity of the Chinese motherland, he said that it would never allow any Taiwanese secessionist plot to succeed and that it stood ready to thwart external military intervention at any time. China’s Taiwan Affairs Office also published similar comments on the same day.
 
China’s fallacies grossly distort the historical facts. Demonstrating once again China’s authoritarian nature and its custom of engaging in saber-rattling, such fallacies have a clear impact upon regional peace and stability. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) solemnly refutes them in the strongest possible terms.
 
Following the conclusion of World War II, the Treaty of San Francisco, which had the force of international law, replaced such political statements as the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation. The treaty did not hand Taiwan over to the PRC, which has never ruled Taiwan.
 
Starting from the mid-1980s, Taiwan underwent a bottom-up transition of liberalization and democratization, culminating in the completion of its first presidential elections in 1996. Since then, the representatives of the executive and legislative branches of the ROC (Taiwan) government have all been elected by the people of Taiwan, making it the only legitimate administration that effectively governs and represents Taiwan externally. This also established the status quo under which the ROC (Taiwan) and the PRC exist on an equal footing, with neither being subordinate to the other. These are the objective facts.
 
The ROC (Taiwan) has been through three transfers of governing party—in 2000, 2008, and 2016. These have continued to consolidate Taiwan’s democratic system and sense of identity and reflect the Taiwanese people’s staunch belief in, and desire to pursue, freedom and democracy.
 
MOFA solemnly states that neither the ROC (Taiwan) nor the PRC is subordinate to the other and that the PRC has no right to represent Taiwan in the international community. China has recently engaged in widespread and baseless lawfare in a bid to strengthen its claim that the Taiwan issue is an internal matter, as well as alter the regional status quo and rationalize its aggressive actions. This has undermined peace and stability. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will continue to maintain the status quo and encourage partner countries to clearly oppose China’s false statements. It will also continue to closely work with like-minded countries to jointly defend peace, stability, and prosperity throughout the region and across the Taiwan Strait. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

September 18, 2025 
No. 347 

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung and his delegation attended a U-Theatre performance at the Romaeuropa Festival 2025 on September 17 in Rome, Italy. Minister Lin spoke at a reception before the event, emphasizing that cultural exchange could highlight the Taiwanese spirit and that the Taiwan Culture in Europe 2025 initiative aimed to connect Taiwan and Europe through the value of cultural diversity. U-Theatre founder Liu Ruo-yu, Romaeuropa Foundation President Guido Fabiani, and members of Italy’s Chamber of Deputies Andrea Orsini and Mauro Del Barba also attended the performance.
 
In his remarks, Minister Lin stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the Ministry of Culture had jointly implemented the Taiwan Culture in Europe 2025 initiative this year. He stressed that they hoped to promote Taiwan-Europe cultural exchanges through various art forms, including the performing arts, visual arts, music, film, architecture, comics, and literature. Minister Lin also expressed the wish that more European friends could gain an understanding of Taiwan’s authentic, diverse, and creative aspects beyond technology.
 
Minister Lin lauded U-Theatre for being one of Taiwan’s most prominent arts and cultural groups, adding that its European tour was a key highlight of the Taiwan Culture in Europe 2025 initiative. He explained that U-Theatre’s works integrated such components as drumming, martial arts, and dance to create a dynamic and powerful form of stage expression that vividly symbolized the spirit of Taiwan, in particular the tenacity and resilience of Taiwan’s people. Minister Lin also emphasized that culture served to overcome language and distance barriers and that U-Theatre’s performance should be seen as a cultural dialogue between Taiwan and Italy.
 
In addition, Minister Lin took the opportunity to thank friends across all sectors of Italy for their long-standing support of Taiwan. He stressed that Taiwan and Italy shared the universal values of democracy and human rights and enjoyed robust trade and industrial ties. Minister Lin asserted that, through cultural exchanges, Taiwan and Italy could further deepen mutual understanding and trust, paving the way for even closer bilateral cooperation in the future.
 
In his address, Romaeuropa Foundation President Fabiani shared his experiences of China attempting to interfere in his close engagement with Taiwan. He expressed that love for Taiwan had motivated him to continue promoting Taiwan-Italy cultural exchanges, undeterred by pressure from China.
 
This year, U-Theatre was invited by Romaeuropa Festival—one of Italy’s most significant cultural events—to present their celebrated work Sword of Wisdom. This gave Europeans the opportunity to experience firsthand Taiwan’s profound and rich culture. At the end, the group received a five-minute ovation, receiving high praise from the entire audience.
 
Looking ahead, MOFA will continue to connect Taiwan and Europe through cultural activities, thereby encouraging Europeans to learn more about Taiwan. This will, in turn, foster mutual understanding and appreciation of shared democratic values as the two sides join hands in strengthening unity in the global democratic camp. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to false claims by South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Lamola

August 28, 2025  

During a media briefing on August 27, South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola made the false claims that Taiwan’s representative offices around the globe are situated in commercial cities, that no Taiwanese representative office existed in Washington, DC, and that the act of unilaterally compelling the relocation of Taiwan’s representative office in South Africa was therefore part of a global phenomenon in line with UN protocols and the Vienna Convention. These claims were intended to justify South Africa’s unilateral abandonment of a 1997 bilateral agreement that would downgrade Taiwan’s representative office by renaming it the “Taipei Commercial Office” and wrongly force the office to move.
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly refutes Minister Lamola’s claims, which not only contradicted reality but also highlighted South Africa’s grave lack of knowledge and misunderstanding of the international situation.
 
When Taiwan has established a representative office anywhere in the world, the office has been established in the capital city in accordance with both international norms and bilateral agreements signed with the host country. In the United States, for example, in addition to the operation of Taiwan’s representative office in Washington, DC, local exchanges are promoted by 12 other offices spread across the nation.
 
MOFA strongly urges Minister Lamola to recognize Taiwan’s interactions with other countries, stop spreading false information that may mislead the international community, return to a position of rationality and reality, and engage in negotiations with Taiwan on an equal and respectful footing.
 
At present, Taiwan’s representative office in South Africa is maintaining normal operations in the capital of Pretoria and continues to provide necessary services to its nationals, including businesspeople and overseas compatriots.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Foreign Minister Lin meets with Italy-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group delegation led by Cochair Paroli

Date：2025-09-05
Data Source：Department of European Affairs

September 5, 2025No. 319A delegation from the Italy-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group arrived in Taiwan on September 4. The delegation was led by Cochair Adriano Paroli and included Senator Gianpietro Maffoni, Senator Alberto Losacco, Deputy Andrea Orsini, Deputy Luca Squeri, Deputy Raffaele Nevi, Senator Dario Damiani, and Senator Cinzia Pellegrino.Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung warmly welcomed the delegation, noting that it was the largest group of cross-party parliamentarians from Italy to visit Taiwan in recent years. He thanked the Italian Parliament for advancing a number of resolutions friendly to Taiwan, such as those supporting Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly and refuting China’s misrepresentation of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758. On behalf of the government of Taiwan, Minister Lin extended appreciation to the government of Italy for reiterating the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and for sending naval vessels to patrol the Indo-Pacific last year, when Italy held the rotating presidency of the Group of Seven. He also conveyed hope that Italy would transit naval vessels through the Taiwan Strait to defend freedom of navigation and jointly uphold democracy.During a luncheon hosted for the delegation by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs François Chihchung Wu, he stated that Italy was an important partner of Taiwan and that the two countries shared the values of democracy and freedom. He expressed optimism that the visit would enhance the delegation’s understanding of Taiwan and deepen bilateral ties. Deputy Minister Wu also observed that Taiwan’s key role in global semiconductor supply chains was founded on cooperation with European industries and said that he looked forward to the continued expansion of Taiwan-Italy exchanges and collaboration in science, technology, and other domains.Cochair Paroli thanked the Taiwan government for inviting the delegation. He noted that Taiwan was an important democratic member of the Indo-Pacific and expressed admiration for Taiwan’s scientific research and economic strengths. He remarked that he hoped that Taiwan would continue exerting its influence worldwide. He added that the entire delegation would remain committed to promoting legislation supporting Taiwan and endorsing its international participation so as to jointly bolster bilateral relations.   During their stay in Taiwan, the members of the delegation will meet with Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim; Vice President of the Legislative Yuan Johnny Chiang; Vice Minister of National Defense Po Horng-huei; Political Deputy Minister of Finance Juan Ching-hwa; and Deputy Minister of the Mainland Affairs Council Shen Yu-chung. The delegation will also attend the opening ceremony of SEMICON Taiwan and experience firsthand the vitality of Taiwan’s technology industry. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to German Foreign Minister Wadephul citing UN Charter to oppose use of force in Taiwan Strait during joint press conference with Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya

 August 20, 2025  

On August 18, German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Johann Wadephul met with Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeshi Iwaya for the first Germany-Japan strategic dialogue. During the joint press conference following the meeting, Minister Wadephul stated that Germany and Japan shared common security interests in the Indo-Pacific, including the Taiwan Strait and the South and East China Seas. He expressed concern over tensions in the Indo-Pacific and China’s repeated open threats to unilaterally change the status quo. He also remarked that the UN Charter’s explicit prohibition of the use of force applied to these regions. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung deeply appreciates and welcomes Minister Wadephul’s statements.
 
Moreover, in a press release issued on August 17, prior to Minister Wadephul’s visit to Japan and Indonesia, the German Federal Foreign Office pointed out that China’s increasingly aggressive stance in the Taiwan Strait and in the East and South China Seas had consequences for Europe, and that basic rules of global cooperation were at stake. It added that Europe was countering this and remained committed to safeguarding an international order based on laws and rules.
 
Minister Wadephul’s renewed citing of the UN Charter’s prohibition of the use of force while reiterating his stance on peace in the Taiwan Strait demonstrates that cross-strait peace and stability align with the interests of Germany and like-minded countries and are a matter of international consensus. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to work with Germany and other democratic countries to jointly safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region, defend democracy and freedom, and uphold the rules-based international order. 

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA sincerely thanks Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba for publicly expressing condolences over losses caused by Typhoon Ragasa in Taiwan

Date：2025-09-25
Data Source：TAIWAN-JAPAN RELATIONS ASSOCIATION

September 25, 2025 
No. 364 

On the evening of September 24, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba posted a message on social media platform X expressing concern over the damage caused by Typhoon Ragasa in Taiwan. He offered condolences for the lives lost and expressed hope that all those affected would be able to resume their normal lives as soon as possible. Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Chief Representative Kazuyuki Katayama and many Japanese lawmakers friendly to Taiwan from across the political spectrum, including Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council Chairman and member of the House of Representatives Keiji Furuya, also publicly and promptly expressed concern. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan have extended appreciation to Japan for these messages.
 
Prime Minister Ishiba’s statement followed one on July 12 regarding losses caused by Typhoon Danas and another on August 5 regarding torrential rainfall in central and southern Taiwan. These gestures fully demonstrate the deep and profound friendship between Taiwan and Japan. Whenever natural disasters occur, Taiwan and Japan always show concern and offer support to each other. The cordial and cooperative relations between Taiwan and Japan serve as a model for the international community. The government and all sectors of society in Taiwan are putting a full effort into rescue and reconstruction work, and Taiwan will maintain close contact with Japan.
 
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung once again sincerely thanks all sectors in Japan for the warm expressions of concern. He hopes that in the future Taiwan and Japan will deepen cooperation on disaster prevention and mitigation and comprehensively develop and bolster bilateral relations. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to joint statement by US, Japanese, ROK foreign ministers reiterating importance of peace and stability across Taiwan Strait

Date：2025-09-23
Data Source：Department of North American Affairs

September 23, 2025  
No. 360  

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, and Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held a trilateral meeting in New York on September 22. In a joint statement issued following the meeting, they emphasized the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, expressed concern about increasingly frequent destabilizing actions around Taiwan, encouraged the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues, and opposed any unilateral attempts to change the status quo. They also expressed support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations.
 
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung notes that this is the third occasion this year that a trilateral meeting between the foreign ministers of the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea has reiterated support for maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, demonstrating like-minded nations’ high concern for Taiwan Strait security.
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sincerely appreciates this latest joint statement and welcomes the international community’s continued focus on peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will continue to raise its national defense capabilities, strengthen its economic resilience, and cooperate with the United States, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and other like-minded nations to defend peace, stability, and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and throughout the Indo-Pacific. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

September 21, 2025No. 358Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung visited the Czech Republic, Italy, and Austria from September 11 to 20. In addition to taking part in several events held under the Taiwan Culture in Europe 2025 initiative, he visited the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the Holy See and met with political leaders as well as individuals from the economic, technology, and cultural sectors. Among his interlocutors were Miloš Vystrčil, President of the Czech Senate; Markéta Pekarová Adamová, Speaker of the Czech Chamber of Deputies; Marek Benda, Chair of the Czech Republic-Taiwan Parliamentary Platform; Gian Marco Centinaio, Vice President of the Italian Senate; Lucio Malan, Chair of the Italy-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group; Günther Ruprecht, Vice President of the Austrian Federal Council; Werner Amon, President of the Austria-Taiwan Association, and other prominent Taiwan-friendly parliamentarians. The trip was fruitful and helped to further strengthen the substantive, values-based partnership between Taiwan and Europe while deepening economic, trade, and cultural links.In the Czech Republic, Minister Lin attended the opening ceremony for a special exhibition of items from the collection of Taiwan’s National Palace Museum at the National Museum of the Czech Republic. He also took in a performance of the Taiwanese musical Formosa Roadside Wedding Banquet by the National Chinese Orchestra Taiwan. Traveling to Brno, the Czech Republic’s second-largest city, he visited the Advanced Chip Design and Research Center set up under the Taiwan-Czech Resilience Project. Minister Lin exchanged views with Professor Radek Holý, Principal Investigator of the ACDRC, and Dr. Karel Masařík, Director of the Czech Semiconductor Center. Minister Lin underscored that AI technology was a key to future national development that featured limitless potential and countless business opportunities. He further noted that AI industry cooperation could be considered to be part of the Taiwan-Czech Resilience Project 2.0.In addition, Minister Lin visited the Czech facilities of Inventec and Wistron and commended Taiwan’s enterprises for their investment in the Czech Republic, which were, he said, a cornerstone of bilateral relations. He also gained a deeper understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing Taiwanese businesses operating in the country. Statistics show that Foxconn has long ranked among the Czech Republic’s top three exporters and has created 5,000 jobs—tangible evidence of Taiwan’s achievements in economic and trade diplomacy.On September 17, Minister Lin attended a performance by and reception for the renowned Taiwanese performing arts troupe U-Theatre at the Sala Santa Cecilia in Rome. Such cultural exchanges highlight Taiwan’s resilient spirit. He also participated in an inauguration ceremony and reception to mark the renovation of the premises of the Taipei Representative Office in Italy. Here, he engaged with a number of Italian political leaders. In remarks at the event, Minister Lin emphasized that relations between Taiwan and Italy were built upon shared values and featured close cultural and economic exchanges. Minister Lin also noted that the completion of construction marked the beginning of a new chapter in bilateral ties.Minister Lin then visited the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the Holy See, where he encouraged colleagues to continue working to strengthen bilateral relations. On behalf of the government of Taiwan, he donated €100,000 to the Scalabrini Order in support of the humanitarian spirit emphasized by Pope Leo XIV. Minister Lin further reviewed preparations and previewed exhibits for Gloria: Hsieh Sheng-Min Religious and HOPE Taiwan Art Exhibition, an event held under the Taiwan Culture in Europe 2025 initiative.While in Austria, Minister Lin attended the When East Meets West concert, where he was joined by Hsinchu County Magistrate Yang Wen-ke and Austrian dignitaries in celebrating this cultural milestone. He also visited the Austrian Parliament accompanied by Taiwan-friendly members of parliament, and later attended a banquet with Günther Ruprecht, Vice President of the Federal Council; Werner Amon, President of the Austria-Taiwan Association; as well as Austrian political, business, and cultural leaders. During these exchanges, Minister Lin noted that Taiwan and Austria enjoyed close cooperation in industries such as ICT technology and machinery, and expressed hope that future parliamentary visits and government-to-government exchanges would further elevate bilateral relations.MOFA will continue to advance integrated diplomacy with like-minded European partners to strengthen democratic resilience and build a solid, mutually beneficial alliance based on sharefd values. Through cultural initiatives, Taiwan will seek to deepen its values-based connections with Europe while further expanding bilateral economic, trade, and technology cooperation. On the foundation of shared values, Taiwan and Europe will work together to forge a close democratic partnership that promotes mutual security and prosperity. (E)