MOFA response to Australia, US, and Japan defense ministers emphasizing importance of cross-strait peace and stability
November 18, 2024
Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III, and Japanese Minister of Defense Gen Nakatani met on November 17 in Darwin, Australia. In the joint statement issued after the meeting, the ministers emphasized the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, called for the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues, expressed concern over developments in the South China Sea, and reiterated their strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sincerely thanks Australia, the United States, and Japan for continuing to publicly reaffirm their strong positions on jointly maintaining cross-strait peace and stability and upholding peace in the Indo-Pacific. Taiwan will continue to work with like-minded partners to defend the rules-based international order and advance regional peace, stability, and prosperity.
MOFA response to US President Biden again underscoring importance of cross-strait peace and stability in meeting with Chinese leader Xi in Peru
November 17, 2024
US President Joe Biden met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Lima, Peru, on November 16. During the meeting, President Biden reiterated that the United States opposed any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side of the Taiwan Strait, that it expected cross-strait differences to be resolved by peaceful means, and that the world had an interest in peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. He also called for an end to China’s destabilizing military activity around Taiwan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) commends and welcomes President Biden publicly reaffirming the United States’ commitment to preserving peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait during interactions with the Chinese leader.
MOFA also thanks the Biden administration for placing great importance on, and doing its utmost through concrete actions to maintain, peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. This included a joint statement issued after the recent US-Japan-ROK leaders’ meeting recognizing peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. In the statement, the three countries announced the establishment of a trilateral secretariat to coordinate and implement their shared commitments and ensure that their joint efforts would make the Indo-Pacific a thriving, connected, resilient, stable, and secure region.
MOFA also notes that China’s press release on the Biden-Xi meeting again included fallacious and misleading narratives on Taiwan and Taiwan-US relations. MOFA reiterates that neither the Republic of China (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other. It also stresses that, as the United States and other parties have repeatedly pointed out, China’s continuous military provocations around Taiwan are the biggest destabilizing factor for regional peace and stability and the biggest threat to global economic prosperity.
MOFA welcomes continued international attention on cross-strait peace and stability as well as concern over China’s threat to the peaceful status quo. As a responsible member of the global community, Taiwan will actively implement the Four Pillars of Peace action plan, leveraging its strengths to ensure peace. Taiwan is staunchly committed to defending itself and will steadily enhance its defense capabilities. It will also work with the United States and other like-minded partners to preserve peace, stability, and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and in the Indo-Pacific.
Taiwan donates €4 million to EBRD’s Ukraine Recovery and Reconstruction Guarantee Facility to help revitalize Ukrainian insurance market
Date：2024-12-14
Data Source：Department of European Affairs
December 14, 2024
No. 461
To assist Ukraine in revitalizing its domestic insurance market and to boost international investment interest in Ukraine, Taiwan has agreed to allocate €4 million from the TaiwanBusiness-EBRD Technical Cooperation Fund for the Ukraine Recovery and Reconstruction Guarantee Facility (URGF) initiative led by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The donation agreement was signed in Taipei on December 2 at a ceremony witnessed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Tien Chung-kwang. It was signed on behalf of Taiwan by Jonathan C. Y. Sun, Director General of the Department of International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and by Director for Donor Partnerships Camilla Otto on behalf of the EBRD.
The EBRD held a ceremony to launch the URGF in its London headquarters on December 12, which was attended by Taiwan Representative to the United Kingdom Vincent C. H. Yao. In his remarks at the event, Representative Yao said that Taiwan staunchly supported Ukraine and looked forward to working with like-minded democratic allies to assist in Ukraine’s reconstruction through the URGF mechanism.
Due to the Russia-Ukraine war, international reinsurance companies have had reservations about providing coverage for businesses operating in Ukraine. The EBRD thus aims to raise €110 million via the URGF mechanism so as to provide additional guarantees for potential losses incurred by war-related risks. This will increase international investor confidence and, in turn, accelerate economic recovery and improve the lives of the Ukrainian people. France, the United Kingdom, Norway, the European Union, and Switzerland have also pledged to donate to the URGF. (E)
Foreign Minister Lin hosts welcome luncheon for Polish parliamentary delegation led by Deputy Senate Marshal Kamiński
Date：2024-12-13
Data Source：Department of European Affairs
December 13, 2024
No. 459
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung on December 12 hosted a luncheon to welcome a parliamentary delegation from the Republic of Poland led by Deputy Senate Marshal Michał Kamiński. During the event, the two sides exchanged views on regional developments, Taiwan-Poland relations, and economic and trade exchanges.
Minister Lin pointed out that both Taiwan and Poland had previously gone through periods of authoritarian rule but had since chosen the path of democracy. He remarked that bilateral relations had steadily advanced in recent years in such areas as the economy, trade, higher education, law enforcement, and science and technology. Minister Lin also affirmed that Taiwan would continue to work with Poland and other like-minded countries to bolster democratic resilience, deepen Taiwan-Europe economic and trade linkages, and forge resilient democratic supply chains throughout the world.
Furthermore, Minister Lin noted that the Polish-Taiwanese Parliamentarian Group released statements in April last year and May this year advocating Taiwan’s international participation and expressing concern over peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. He thanked friends from the Polish parliament for taking such concrete action in support of Taiwan and added that he looked forward to further collaborating in the future and deepening bilateral interactions and exchanges.
In his remarks, Deputy Senate Marshal Kamiński stated that Taiwan and Poland could learn from each other through exchanges in such fields as culture, the economy and trade, science and technology, and academia. He also said that due to Poland’s considerable economic development potential, many major Taiwanese enterprises had already invested in Poland, including Chi Mei Frozen Food and Compal, and that he anticipated that even more Taiwanese businesses would seek to develop market opportunities in Poland.
Taiwan and Poland share such universal values as freedom and democracy. In the future, the two countries will continue to work closely together to jointly promote prosperity and progress and protect hard-earned democratic achievements. (E)
Deputy Foreign Minister Wu to attend Somaliland presidential inauguration as special envoy of President Lai
Date：2024-12-11
Data Source：Department of West Asian and African Affairs
December 11, 2024 No. 458
President-elect of the Republic of Somaliland Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, who represents the Waddani National Party and previously served as speaker of the House of Representatives, will be sworn into office on December 12 following his election victory on November 13. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs François Chihchung Wu, serving as special envoy of President Lai Ching-te, is leading a delegation to Somaliland to attend the inauguration ceremony and extend congratulations on behalf of the government and people of Taiwan. His visit underscores the friendly relations between the two democratic countries.
Deputy Minister Wu arrived in the capital city of Hargeisa at noon on December 11. He was met at the airport by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Rhoda Jama Elmi on behalf of the Somaliland government. Representative of the Republic of Somaliland Representative Office in Taiwan Mohamed Omar Hagi Mohamoud and representative of the new government’s transition team Khadar Hussein Abdi were also there to welcome the delegation.
Deputy Minister Wu will attend the presidential inauguration and convey a message of congratulations from President Lai to President Abdullahi. He will also meet with outgoing President Muse Bihi Abdi and other prominent political figures, as well as representatives, envoys, and delegations from other nations, to exchange views on the latest international developments.
Somaliland is an important partner of Taiwan in East Africa. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to promote bilateral exchanges and cooperation across various domains and deepen the friendship between the two sides. (E)
MOFA responds to China’s military activities around first island chain; urges international community to jointly safeguard cross-strait peace and stability
Date：2024-12-11
Data Source：Department of Policy Planning
December 11, 2024
No. 457
China has recently deployed large numbers of PLA Navy and China Coast Guard vessels around the first island chain for days-long military exercises. It has also repeatedly dispatched military aircraft and vessels to harass Taiwan, unilaterally disrupting peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, unnecessarily escalating regional tensions, and interfering with regular international shipping and trade. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) demands that the Beijing authorities immediately cease their military intimidation and all other unreasonable behavior that is jeopardizing regional peace and stability.
An international consensus has been reached on the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region. Although cross-strait and regional developments are closely followed by the international community, China continues to ramp up rhetorical and military intimidation against Taiwan. China’s large-scale military buildup around the first island chain has created uncertainty and risk, giving countries in the region cause for concern. This underscores the fact that China is a destabilizing force that is undermining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
China’s provocative actions toward Taiwan and other countries in the region are a clear violation of the United Nations Charter, which stipulates that all countries must refrain from the threat or use of force to infringe on the territorial sovereignty of another country. MOFA solemnly demands that China immediately stop violating international law and demonstrate that it can be a responsible major power.
Taiwan will do its utmost to fulfill its international responsibilities, calmly respond to China’s military threats, staunchly safeguard its sovereignty and national security, and firmly defend democracy and freedom. MOFA urges democratic partners worldwide to unite with Taiwan to jointly counter authoritarian expansionism and encroachment, prevent repeated attempts to unilaterally and deliberately disrupt the status quo, uphold the rules-based international order, and together preserve peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific. (E)
MOFA welcomes ANZMIN joint statement supporting cross-strait peace and stability
Date：2024-12-07
Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs
December 7, 2024No. 452 Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong met with New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters and Minister of Defence Judith Collins in Auckland on December 6 for the second Australia-New Zealand Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations (ANZMIN) this year. In the joint statement issued after the meeting, they reiterated the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, opposed unilateral changes to the status quo, and expressed concern over the situation in the South China Sea. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) welcomes and appreciates this statement. Australia and New Zealand are important friends of Taiwan in the Indo-Pacific region, and bilateral relations with both countries have made significant strides in recent years. Given that maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea has become a global consensus, MOFA invites the international community to continue expressing its concerns and take practical action to uphold the rules-based international order. The Taiwan government will continue to promote values-based diplomacy and work with like-minded countries to advance democracy, peace, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. (E)
Fraudulent website and internet banking login screen related to Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks’ websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).
Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the website or login screen concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012. Issued at HKT 17:18
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has invited inputs from citizens for Mann Ki Baat programme that will take place on 30th March 2025.
Shri Modi also expressed his happiness on getting wide range of inputs for this month’s Mann Ki Baat.
In a X post, the Prime Minister said;
“Happy to be getting a wide range of inputs for this month’s #MannKiBaat, which will take place on the 30th. These inputs highlight the power of collective efforts for social good. I invite more people to share their ideas for the episode.
Happy to be getting a wide range of inputs for this month’s #MannKiBaat, which will take place on the 30th. These inputs highlight the power of collective efforts for social good. I invite more people to share their ideas for the episode. https://t.co/anPo1hmZ5k
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in collaboration with the Media & Entertainment Association of India (MEAI), hosted WAM! (WAVES Anime & Manga Contest) at Whistling Woods International in Mumbai on 23rd March 2025. WAM! is one of the WAVES (World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit – Create in India Challenges. Around 300 participants competed across three key categories, Manga, Webtoon, and Anime, at the latest edition in Mumbai. The event also featured a Voice Acting showdown with 34 participants and an electrifying Cosplay contest with 45 participants.
Winners of WAM! Mumbai 2025
Voice Acting Competition
Winner: Chinchakar Ganesh Sanyog
Runners-up: Aditi Joshi & Payal Vishal
Cosplay Contest
Winner: Kaizad Sheshbaradaran as Okarun
First Runner-up: Yash Mokal as Monkey D. Luffy
Second Runner-up: Esha Joshi as Robin
Manga Category
Student Winner: Jay Kumar Nagori
Professional Winner: Hriday Biswas
Webtoon Category
Professional Winner: Eesha Chavan
Anime Category
Student Winner: Chinmay Narote
Professional Winner: Reubun Saldhana
Winners in the Manga, Webtoon, and Anime categories received prizes including pen tablets, art supplies, official merchandise, and cash prizes. Additionally, Anime category winners will receive English, Hindi, and Japanese dubs for their pilot episode. Toonsutra has confirmed the distribution of the Webtoon winners’ work on their platform.
In a special segment, attendees got an exclusive first look at TRIO, India’s first anime currently in development. The event also featured notable industry leaders, including: Sushil Bhasin – President, Media & Entertainment Association of India; Abhishek Dutta – Associate Vice President – Acquisition & Programming (Kids Cluster), Star India Pvt Ltd; Sumeet Pathak – Actor, Chief Operating Officer & Managing Director, Gulmohar Media; Ankur Javeri – Actor, Voice Artist, and Founder & Past President of the Association of Voice Artists; Jazyl Homavazir – 2D Animation Professional and Creator of India’s first Manga – Beast Legion; Dakshata Pawar – COSPLAY Artist and Founder of MAGE.
The previous editions of WAM were conducted in Guwahati, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Varanasi, and Delhi.
For More Details: Ankur Bhasin; Secretary, Media & Entertainment Association of India +91 98806 23122 ; secretary@meai.in
The Government of India is set to host the first-ever World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES), a landmark event for the Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector, from May 1st to 4th, 2025, in Mumbai. Whether you’re an industry professional, investor, creator, or innovator, WAVES – as a global platform – offers the ultimate platform to connect, collaborate, innovate and contribute to the global M&E landscape.
With a vision to position India as a global creative powerhouse, WAVES aims to set new benchmarks in creativity, innovation, and influence on the world stage. The summit will magnify India’s creative strength, amplifying its position as a hub for content creation, intellectual property, and technological innovation. Industries and sectors in focus include Broadcasting, Print Media, Television, Radio, Films, Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, Sound And Music, Advertising, Digital Media, Social Media Platforms, Generative AI, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and extended reality (XR).