MOFA response to Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba expressing great concern over China’s joint military drills around Taiwan

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba expressing great concern over China’s joint military drills around Taiwan

October 14, 2024  

Commenting on China’s joint military drills around Taiwan during an interview with the press on October 14, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba pointed out that peace and security in and around the Taiwan Strait were an extremely important issue to the region. He stated that Japan would carefully monitor the situation and prepare to respond to any development.
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) affirms and appreciates Prime Minister Ishiba’s public expression of great concern and support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait immediately after China launched military drills around Taiwan.
 
Also on October 14, Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeshi Iwaya and Minister of Defense Gen Nakatani stressed the importance of cross-strait peace to regional security and stability and stated that they would closely monitor the situation and remain vigilant concerning related developments.
 
Maintaining cross-strait peace and stability is a matter of international consensus. China’s repeated use of pretexts to suppress and intimidate Taiwan has undermined peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the Indo-Pacific. MOFA again urges China to exercise reason and restraint and to stop threatening Taiwan and unilaterally escalating regional tensions. For its part, Taiwan will continue to enhance its self-defense capabilities and work with the United States, Japan, and other like-minded partners to safeguard the rules-based international order.

MOFA strongly condemns China for disregarding Taiwan’s goodwill and taking provocative actions that raise tensions in Taiwan Strait and region

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA strongly condemns China for disregarding Taiwan’s goodwill and taking provocative actions that raise tensions in Taiwan Strait and region

October 14, 2024  
No. 353  

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has noted that China on October 14 launched its so-called Joint Sword-2024B military drill around Taiwan, once again challenging the rules-based international order and gravely undermining regional peace and stability. MOFA strongly condemns China and urges it to pull back and immediately cease its military provocations.
 
In his National Day address, President Lai Ching-te once again expressed goodwill to China and called for it to act responsibly and work with Taiwan to maintain the prevailing state of peace, stability, and prosperity. However, China remains determined to intimidate the people of Taiwan through military exercises and is attempting to threaten Taiwan’s democracy and unilaterally disrupt the status quo of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and throughout the region. MOFA solemnly denounces China and urges it to neither use false pretexts aimed at justifying disagreement and strife nor become a troublemaker that undermines regional peace and stability.
 
At the same time, MOFA calls on nations around the world to recognize China’s authoritarian and expansionist nature, take concrete actions to support democratic Taiwan at this critical moment, unite in defending the values of freedom and democracy, and safeguard the rules-based international order, as well as the freedom, openness, and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region. (E)

Foreign Minister Lin leads delegation to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines as presidential envoy to attend 45th independence anniversary celebrations

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Foreign Minister Lin leads delegation to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines as presidential envoy to attend 45th independence anniversary celebrations

Date:2024-10-28
Data Source:Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs

October 28, 2024 
No. 375 

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung, serving as President Lai Ching-te’s special envoy, led a delegation to Caribbean ally Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on October 26. He participated in a ceremony and other celebrations marking the 45th anniversary of the independence of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. In addition, he met with Governor-General Susan Dougan, held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, attended a welcome reception hosted by the government, and took part in other official events.
 
Minister Lin joined Prime Minister Gonsalves in presiding over the groundbreaking ceremony for the Arnos Vale Acute Care Hospital. He also attended the official opening of a farmers training room and a cold storage facility built at Orange Hill Farm with Taiwan’s support; a plaque unveiling for a new livestock facility at the Rabacca National Breeding Station; and an October fair celebrating the national days of both countries. Minister Lin reaffirmed President Lai’s staunch commitment to deepening relations with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and, together with local residents, witnessed the results of Taiwan’s international development programs.
 
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Arnos Vale Acute Care Hospital, Minister Lin said that the important project highlighted the close partnership between the two countries. He expressed confidence that it would not only contribute to medical care modernization but also create job opportunities in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. He stated that in addition to building the hospital, Taiwan had also promoted other infrastructure projects, including the modernization of Kingstown Port, road renovation, and the construction of the House of Assembly and courthouse buildings.
 
During the event at Orange Hill Farm, Minister Lin noted that bilateral cooperation in agricultural technology had yielded significant results. He commended the establishment of Orange Hill Biotechnology Center, which had long served as a key pillar for agricultural advancement and modernization of the sector in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. He also spoke about the launch of a new agricultural cooperation program in 2025 focusing on the introduction of smart agricultural technologies to improve productivity and bolster young people’s engagement in agriculture.
 
The Republic of China (Taiwan) and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines established diplomatic relations in 1981. Over the past 43 years, bilateral cooperation projects have produced remarkable achievements. The two countries enjoy a cordial and solid partnership; share the core values of democracy, freedom, and human rights; and engage in close collaboration in such domains as agriculture, food security, infrastructure, medical care, public health, ICT, and women’s empowerment. Both nations will continue to build on the existing robust foundation to strengthen cooperation and deepen their partnership based on shared prosperity and mutual benefit. (E)

Foreign Minister Lin visits jointly constructed neonatal building of San Juan de Dios Hospital and joins Guatemalan Foreign Minister Martínez in celebrating 90th anniversary of bilateral ties

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Foreign Minister Lin visits jointly constructed neonatal building of San Juan de Dios Hospital and joins Guatemalan Foreign Minister Martínez in celebrating 90th anniversary of bilateral ties

Date:2024-10-27
Data Source:Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs

October 27, 2024  
No. 371  

On October 25, during his visit to Guatemala, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung met with President Bernardo Arévalo, Foreign Minister Carlos Martínez, and other senior officials. He also toured the neonatal building of San Juan de Dios Hospital, which finished construction this year with assistance from Taiwan. While at the new building, Minister Lin interacted with families that benefited from the joint endeavor, giving him the opportunity to better understand the fruits of Taiwan-Guatemala collaboration. 
 
Hospital Director Erika Pérez and Pediatrics Department Chief Juan Carlos Reyes introduced the facilities and functions of the building to Minister Lin when he toured the neonatal building in the morning. Accompanied by Guatemalan Minister of Public Health and Social Assistance Joaquín Barnoya, Minister Lin attended a traditional Taiwanese ceremony to bless infants and gave gifts to the attending families. 
 
In his remarks at San Juan de Dios Hospital, Minister Lin stated that, in addition to the joint construction of the hospital’s neonatal building, Taiwan’s technical mission and Guatemala are working on a program to promote maternal and neonatal health care. The initiative will assist in training medical professionals at hospitals and birth centers in Guatemala City to enhance their ability to give women clinical care before, during, and after childbirth and reduce premature birth and infant mortality risks, benefiting 70,000 people each year. It will also arrange for related personnel from Guatemala to travel to Taiwan for training. Over 450 health care professionals are expected to receive training, thereby raising the quality of services available to women and children in Guatemala. It took just 12 months for Taiwan and Guatemala to complete the planning and construction of the neonatal building of San Juan de Dios Hospital, which has helped improve maternal and neonatal care. The important project has been met with wide approval from the government and civil society of Guatemala. 
 
In the afternoon, Minister Lin called at Guatemala’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to meet with Minister Martínez, who invited him to view bamboo planted by Taiwan’s technical mission in the square outside the building. The plants commemorate 90 years of friendship and diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Guatemala. (E)

Taiwan Expo 2024: Bridging Innovation and Collaboration with Thailand

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The Taiwan Expo 2024 in Thailand, promoted by the International Trade Administration (TITA) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), opened on November 21 in Bangkok, Thailand. This year’s Expo featured 170 leading Taiwanese companies that showcased innovations in 5 key industries: smart manufacturing, smart medical care, the circular economy, smart lifestyles, and culture & tourism, under the theme “Explore Tomorrow’s Innovations at the Taiwan Expo 2024”.

TITA’s Director General Cynthia Kiang stated in her welcoming remarks that the Taiwan Expo has become the premier platform for strengthening economic, technological, and cultural cooperation between Thailand and Taiwan. Since Taiwan excels in advanced technology, ICT, and machinery, it is conducive for partnering with Thailand’s manufacturing prowess, thereby presenting both sides with unique opportunities for collaboration in the sectors of smart medicine, green technology, and carbon reduction technology.

Director General Kiang also highlighted the “Taiwan Select” section, which showcased Taiwan’s high-quality food products to promote the diverse culinary charm of Taiwan and help Taiwanese food enterprises enter global markets.

For more detailed information on the Taiwan Expo 2024 in Thailand, please visit the official website: https://thai.taiwanexpoasean.com/zh-tw/index.html

BSMI Unveils Results of Universal Design and Assistive Device Campaigns: Shaping a Barrier-Free Future

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

In response to the growing needs of an aging population and the increasing emphasis on the rights of persons with disabilities, the Bureau of Standards, Metrology, and Inspection (BSMI) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs has been actively promoting accessibility and inclusivity. As part of these efforts, BSMI held the award ceremony for the “Universal Design Competition for Assistive Devices for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities” and the “Campaign on User-Friendly Commercial Assistive Devices for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities” on November 19. These initiatives aim to fulfill the accessibility requirements outlined in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), promote the concept of universal design, and recognize innovative and practical assistive devices.

Universal Design Competition: Pioneering Innovation in Assistive Devices
The Competition garnered 137 entries this year, showcasing a variety of creative and ergonomic solutions. After rigorous evaluation, gold, silver, and bronze awards, along with five honorable mentions, were presented.
Gold Award: A keyboard assistive device designed for the visually impaired, enabling rapid identification of keyboard positions.
Silver Award: A lightweight, thin massage cushion with adjustable intensity, ideal for long-term bedridden users.
Bronze Award: A wireless communication-enabled restraint band that reduces caregivers’ workload while enhancing safety.
These winning designs integrate cutting-edge technologies such as ergonomics, wireless communication, and specialized materials, representing a significant leap in Taiwan’s assistive device innovation.
Campaign on User-Friendly Commercial Assistive Devices: Enhancing Everyday Lives
The Campaign reviewed 48 commercially available products, selecting 20 outstanding designs that prioritize user experience. The evaluation focused on safety, convenience, and user-centric design, emphasizing innovations such as lightweight materials, compact storage solutions or easy-to-operate mechanisms.
These features demonstrate the industry’s commitment to creating assistive devices that are both functional and thoughtful, boosting the competitiveness of Taiwan’s assistive device market.
Meeting the Needs of a Super-Aged Society
BSMI emphasized that as Taiwan approaches a super-aged society, the demand for assistive and healthcare products is expected to surge. These initiatives not only foster dialogue between designers and users but also encourage technological innovation to improve quality of life. BSMI is committed to supporting the development and promotion of award-winning products through exhibitions, business matchmaking, and other initiatives, further advancing the assistive device industry and ensuring accessibility for all.
“Through these campaigns, we aim to create a more inclusive society where assistive devices cater to diverse needs, ensuring dignity and independence for people with disabilities and the elderly,” said a BSMI spokesperson.
For more information on the winning entries and upcoming assistive device initiatives, visit the website at https://reurl.cc/z67Dde.

Responsible Division: Inspection Technology Division
Contact Person: Yang, Li-Yuan, Deputy Director
Tel. (O): +886-2343-1829
Email: ly.yang@bsmi.gov.tw

Taipower’s Energy Trading Platform marks 3rd anniversary, wins Gartner Eye on Innovation Award

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Since its establishment in 2021, Taipower’s Energy Trading Platform has introduced a new business model for electricity trading, attracting private distributed energy resources to participate in the grid and provide ancillary services to help stabilize the national power system. In 2023, the Energy Trading Platform earned Taipower the National Development Council’s Government Service Award (Digital Innovation and Value-Added), and now the Company has won the 2024 Gartner Eye on Innovation Awards for Power and Utilities in the category of “Innovation: Intelligent Dispatching and Monitoring System for Distributed Resources”.

Gartner, a globally renowned think tank, specializes in providing third-party information and communications technology (ICT) research and consulting services to businesses and government agencies. Since 2019, Gartner has hosted the annual Gartner Eye on Innovation Awards for Government competition, calling on government organizations around the globe to showcase their successful digital innovation services. The event attracts over 200 submissions each year. This year, Gartner introduced the Gartner Eye on Innovation Awards for Power and Utilities, which was divided into three regions: the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. The top four entries from each region advanced to the finals, where a prestigious panel of more than 20 experts from Europe and the Americas selected the year’s winners. Taipower’s Energy Trading Platform won the award in the Asia-Pacific region, sharing international recognition with notable companies ITC Limited, Southern California Edison (SCE) from the Americas, and Enerjisa from Europe. The award winners were announced online in October, and yesterday (November 25) Gartner Taiwan President Liao Ming-Jen personally presented the award to Taipower at its headquarters.

A Taipower representative explained that Taiwan’s island geography operates as an independent grid, requiring self-sufficiency to maintain grid stability and balance while meeting nationwide electricity demand. Taipower’s Energy Trading Platform, which has received international recognition as an Intelligent Dispatching and Monitoring System for Distributed Resources, was designed based on the power market structures of advanced countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. By introducing ancillary service trading and integrating cloud server applications and other ICT innovations, the platform attracts distributed power resources, including privately owned generation facilities and grid-connected energy storage systems. Through a competitive bidding model, participants can compete fairly to earn revenue while contributing to national grid stability. The platform accelerates the development of emerging power technologies and establishes a real-time dispatch system that emphasizes information security, scalability, and stability. To date, the platform has successfully integrated 430 distributed energy projects.

Since Taipower’s Energy Trading Platform began operations 3 years ago, it has accumulated nearly 100 qualified participants, with a total participation capacity exceeding 1.7 GW. The platform has demonstrated its critical rescue capabilities in real-world scenarios, such as during the 403 Hualien Earthquake. The earthquake tripped multiple generators nationwide, resulting in an immediate reduction of approximately 3.2 GW in power supply. Through the Energy Trading Platform, energy storage resources were instantly deployed, providing 500,000 kW of power. Combined with other fast-responding hydro and thermal power units and photovoltaic power, the grid frequency was stabilized within a short period after the quake, preventing a potential blackout crisis due to system imbalance. Taipower representatives emphasized the Company’s commitment to leveraging innovative technologies to enhance the grid’s safety and flexibility, thereby ensuring a stable power supply.

Spokesperson: Vice President Tsai Chih-Meng
Phone: (02) 2366-6271; 0958-749-333
E-mail: u910707@taipower.com.tw
Contact Person: Director of the Power Dispatching Department Chou Fang-Cheng
Phone: (02) 2366-6600; 0952-810-417
E-mail: u027007@taipower.com.tw

Golden Pin Design Award’s Fruitful International Deployment: Upsurge of Potential Designers Entries from New Southbound Policy Countries, Taiwan Design Leads Global Trends

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The Golden Pin Design Award (GPDA/the Award) began active internationalization in 2014 and is now an internationally renowned award. Its 2024 jury board boasted 99 international experts from 13 countries, reviewing a total of 2,339 multidisciplinary design entries from 20 different countries. The Award surged a record entry from amongst the Southeast Asian countries of Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy partners. This year’s designer entries reflected the latest trends in smart technology, circular sustainability, and sociological design; many domestic entries demonstrated Taiwan design’s leading position in global innovation trends. The Honorary Award went to Shu Chang Kung, renowned Taiwanese architect and the Architecture Professor of National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University’s Graduate Institute of Architecture. The winners of this year’s Best Design as well as other special awards will be announced during the Grand Award Ceremony at the Taiwan Traditional Theatre Center, on December 13th. The Golden Pin Design Award Exhibition will kick off on December 3rd inside Taipei’s Songshan Cultural and Creative Park. We welcome all to join!

GPDA’s collaborations with international design organizations resulted in nearly 50% international entries and made it an important exposure platform for Taiwan’s design talents and design industries with the rest of the world. The New Southbound Policy led to the signing of active Memorandums of Exchange and Collaboration for design research and development with Southeast Asian countries. GPDA’s growing brand awareness in Asia-Pacific regions is proven by this year’s record breaking 213 entries from amongst the New Southbound Policy collaborating countries, including: Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, India, and New Zealand.

Operated by the Taiwan Design Research Institute (TDRI), GPDA is not only a recognition for outstanding designs, but also a bridge for international marketing of design works. By TDRI’s international collaboration in channels and expos, GPDA winners are further exposed around the world. Examples include setting up a permanent GPDA counter inside Marunouchi Good Design Store, Tokyo, as well as displaying Taiwanese winning designs inside the Taiwan Pavilion during Milan Design Week in April 2024. The holistic support system, from selection recognition to international exhibition and market promotions, helps designers and companies expand into international markets.

As it attracts not only Taiwan designer and company entries but also latest design innovations from designers and corporations from the four corners of the world. The Award has become an important indicator for both diverse industries’ status and future trends. This year’s winning works demonstrated the multidisciplinarity and innovative nature of design, from technological applications to social transformations, all in response to the needs of modern consumers. Many entries integrated design thinking and technology to improve functionality, lead product innovation, and create new lifestyles. Furthermore, in environmental protection and sustainability, eco-friendly solutions rooted in material innovation and resource circulation were proposed. Last but not least, many entries showed that design has become a powerful tool in responding to social challenges as well as fostering public participation. The 2024 winning designs will be exhibited at Songshan Cultural and Creative Park in Taipei, starting on December 3rd (Tuesday, TAPEI GMT+8).

The Office of the President will be closed to visitors on April 9 (Wed.), 10 (Thurs.), and 17 (Thurs.) due to maintenance work in the exhibition area. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

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2025-03-25
The Office of the President will be closed to visitors on April 9 (Wed.), 10 (Thurs.), and 17 (Thurs.) due to maintenance work in the exhibition area. We apologize for any inconvenience.

The Office of the President will be closed to visitors on April 9 (Wed.), 10 (Thurs.), and 17 (Thurs.) due to maintenance work in the exhibition area. We apologize for any inconvenience.

MOFA response to joint declaration by G7 defence ministers expressing concern over China’s joint military exercise around Taiwan and reaffirming importance of cross-strait peace and stability

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to joint declaration by G7 defence ministers expressing concern over China’s joint military exercise around Taiwan and reaffirming importance of cross-strait peace and stability

October 20, 2024  

The Group of Seven (G7) defense ministers held a meeting in Naples, Italy, from October 18 to 20. In a joint declaration issued on October 19, they expressed concern over China’s provocative actions, particularly the recent People’s Liberation Army military drills around Taiwan. They reaffirmed that maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait was indispensable to international security and prosperity and called for the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs highly welcomes and sincerely appreciates the G7 member states’ staunch support for maintaining the peaceful status quo across the Taiwan Strait. 
 
As a responsible member of the Indo-Pacific community, Taiwan will continue to strengthen cooperation with G7 member countries and take concrete actions to uphold the core values of democracy, freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. It will work in solidarity with like-minded partners to safeguard the rules-based international order and promote prosperity and stability in the region and throughout the world.