Category: MIL-OSI

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MOFA response to false claims regarding Taiwan in joint statement between PRC and Brunei

February 8, 2025Chinese leader Xi Jinping met with Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaaddin Waddaulah on February 6. The two sides issued a joint statement on advancing the strategic cooperative partnership towards a China-Brunei community with a shared future, which erroneously claimed that Taiwan was an inalienable part of China. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly condemns this claim.MOFA reiterates that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent nation; that neither the ROC (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other; and that the Chinese Communist Party regime has never governed Taiwan. No statement seeking to distort the sovereign status of the ROC (Taiwan) can change the internationally recognized cross-strait status quo.MOFA emphasizes that Taiwan will not succumb to pressure or diplomatic suppression by China’s authoritarian government. Through its practice of integrated diplomacy, Taiwan will continue to deepen economic and trade cooperation and bilateral relations with Brunei and other nations so as to jointly facilitate regional prosperity.

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MOFA response to false claims regarding Taiwan in joint statement between PRC and Kyrgyzstan

February 6, 2025  

Chinese leader Xi Jinping met with President Sadyr Japarov of the Kyrgyz Republic on February 5. The two sides issued a joint statement on deepening their comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era, which erroneously claimed that Taiwan was an inalienable part of China. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) solemnly refutes this false narrative.
 
MOFA reiterates that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent nation; that neither the ROC (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other; and that the Chinese Communist Party regime has never governed Taiwan. The ROC (Taiwan) is a modern democratic country that actively defends its democratic system and respects human rights and the rule of law. No statement seeking to distort the sovereign status of the ROC (Taiwan) can change the internationally recognized cross-strait status quo.
 
Taiwan is located on a strategic front line in the Indo-Pacific, safeguarding the values of democracy and freedom. Taiwan remains staunchly committed to defending its national sovereignty. Moving forward, Taiwan will continue to strengthen cooperation with like-minded partners to jointly counter China’s attempts at rhetorical and military intimidation, curb authoritarian expansionism, ensure peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and promote global economic security and prosperity.

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ROC (Taiwan) government congratulates Donald Trump and JD Vance on inauguration as 47th president and 50th vice president of United States

Date：2025-01-21
Data Source：Department of North American Affairs

January 21, 2025No. 024Donald John Trump and James David Vance were sworn into office as the 47th president and 50th vice president of the United States, respectively, on January 20. The government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) sincerely congratulates President Trump and Vice President Vance on their inauguration. Building on the friendly and solid relations that exist between Taiwan and the United States, and in accordance with the principles of mutual trust, reciprocity, and mutual benefits, the government of Taiwan looks forward to working with the Trump administration to strengthen the close bilateral partnership in such domains as security, the economy and trade, technology, and education so as to enhance the well-being of both peoples and advance peace, stability, and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific and the world. (E)

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MOFA response to South African government again pressuring Taiwan to relocate liaison office

February 2, 2025Since last October, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has been in communication with South Africa through diplomatic channels. In accordance with the principles of parity and dignity, MOFA has engaged with the South African government, seeking to understand its views on future bilateral relations while still staunchly refusing to accept unilateral changes to the status quo. In late January, however, the South African government sent another letter to the Taipei Liaison Office in the Republic of South Africa (TLO) demanding that it leave the capital city of Pretoria before the end of March. The South African government also attempted to downgrade the status of the TLO and have it renamed a trade office.Federal Chairperson Ivan Meyer of the Democratic Alliance, South Africa’s second-largest political party, was recently sanctioned by the Chinese government for visiting Taiwan. That the South African government has yet again set a deadline for the TLO’s relocation out of Pretoria—despite ongoing negotiations with Taiwan—demonstrates that China is ramping up efforts to suppress Taiwan in South Africa. Upon receiving a TLO report regarding the South African government’s repeated demand to relocate the office, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung again promptly convened a task force to discuss contingency measures. He remained in constant contact with the relevant MOFA officials both at home and abroad during the Lunar New Year holiday. He also instructed Director General Anthony Chung-yi Ho of the Department of West Asian and African Affairs to summon Representative Zakhele Mnisi of the Liaison Office of South Africa in Taiwan to convey the government’s serious concerns.MOFA reiterates that the Taiwan government remains steadfast in its refusal to accept the South African government’s unilateral violation of their bilateral agreement and that it will continue communicating with South Africa on the principles of parity and dignity. In line with the Taiwan government’s objectives, MOFA will adopt contingency measures depending on the South African government’s responses. It will also apprise the Taiwanese people and media of future developments at the appropriate times.MOFA once again solemnly urges the government of South Africa, which will host this year’s Group of 20 summit, to abide by the legal framework for bilateral relations signed in 1997. And before a consensus is reached through negotiations with Taiwan, MOFA calls on South Africa not to use coercive measures against the TLO or take any other action that could interfere with the TLO’s operations or services that it provides for Taiwanese abroad. 

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January 19, 2025No. 023Serving as President Lai Ching-te’s special envoy, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung led a delegation to the Republic of Palau—one of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies in the Pacific—from January 15 to 18 to congratulate President Surangel Whipps, Jr. and Vice President Raynold Oilouch on their inauguration. Special Envoy Lin conducted the trip and flew back to Taiwan on January 18. In addition to attending official activities, Special Envoy Lin engaged with visiting dignitaries from other countries. He also led a delegation of industry leaders from Taiwan on a fact-finding tour to explore business opportunities in Palau. The visit received high praise from President Whipps and various other key political figures. In a concrete example of Taiwan’s implementation of its integrated diplomacy policy and the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project, the trip produced substantive results. On January 16, Special Envoy Lin attended the presidential and vice presidential inauguration ceremony, made official visits, signed a letter of intent on sports and baseball exchanges, launched a smart healthcare project at Belau National Hospital,  and took part in President Whipps’s inauguration dinner. The following day, at President Whipps’s invitation, the Taiwan delegation joined special envoys and representatives from other countries on a tour of local tourism resources. In a strong demonstration of the importance that he attaches to Taiwan, President Whipps personally briefed the delegation on Palau’s tourism investment environment before the tour. During the event, President Whipps warmly interacted with Special Envoy Lin and other members of the Taiwan delegation. To reciprocate the generous hospitality of the president and government of Palau, Special Envoy Lin hosted a dinner on January 17 that was attended by President Whipps, House of Delegates Speaker Gibson Kanai, Minister of State Gustav Aitaro, and many other Palauan political and traditional leaders. Speaking at the banquet, Special Envoy Lin reaffirmed that Taiwan would strive to assist Palau in its national development and collaborate closely on future economic plans. In his remarks, President Whipps thanked Special Envoy Lin for leading an industry fact-finding mission to Palau and fully upholding Taiwan’s commitment to supporting Palau’s economic development. He added that he looked forward to promoting diverse cooperation between the two countries on the economy, trade, and investment. Reiterating his appreciation for Taiwan’s assistance in Palau’s national development since the establishment of diplomatic ties, President Whipps said that he would continue to lead the new government in working closely with Taiwan toward shared prosperity. During the dinner, Taiwan’s Mingdao High School handed over a donation of distance learning equipment to Palau High School. The initiative aimed to promote educational cooperation and underscored Taiwan’s active efforts to advance various forms of bilateral cooperation through civil society resources and public-private partnerships.On January 18, Special Envoy Lin led the industry delegation on a fact-finding tour of Palau’s tourism sector before flying back to Taiwan. Minister of State Aitaro saw the group off at the airport on behalf of President Whipps. He expressed sincere thanks to Taiwan for sending a delegation led by the special envoy and involving the private sector to invest in Palau’s economic development.Special Envoy Lin’s visit continued the theme of “Smart and Sustainable Development for a Prosperous Austronesian Region” that defined President Lai’s Pacific tour last December. The aim of the trip was to use integrated diplomacy to highlight the democratic values that Taiwan shares with other like-minded countries; leverage Taiwan’s strengths in industry, technology, and human resources to develop Palauan industry in concrete ways; and further consolidate diplomatic relations. Taiwan will build on the robust partnership forged with Palau over 26 years of official ties to further advance the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project and work with Palau and other like-minded countries to jointly realize the vision of regional peace, stability, and prosperity. (E)

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Taiwan sends delegation to the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies of the President-elect and Vice President-elect of the United States

Date：2025-01-18
Data Source：Department of North American Affairs

January 18, 2025 
No. 022 

The 60th Inaugural Ceremonies of the President-elect and Vice President-elect of the United States will be held in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. The government of Taiwan has again organized a cross-party delegation to convey the Taiwanese people’s sincere congratulations to the United States. This demonstrates the importance that the government and people of Taiwan place on the close Taiwan-US partnership and reciprocates the United States’ goodwill in sending a delegation to the inauguration of President Lai Ching-te and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim last year. Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu will lead the delegation at President Lai’s behest and will be joined by seven other legislators: Ko Chih-en, Wang Ting-yu , Ko Ju-chun, Lee Yen-hsiu, Chen Kuan-ting, Kuo Yu-ching, and Chen Gau-tzu.
 
The delegation is departing for the United States on January 18 and is scheduled to return home on January 24. During the visit, the delegates will engage with US Congress members and other prominent political figures and convey Taiwan’s congratulations. They will participate in exchanges with US think tanks and other important friends on such issues as the current international landscape and Taiwan-US relations. They will also proactively seek to achieve the three missions entrusted to them by President Lai: to extend the best wishes of the people of Taiwan, to convey Taiwan’s firm commitment to democracy, and to pursue new milestones in Taiwan-US relations.
 
The US presidential and vice presidential inauguration is organized by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. The theme of this year’s ceremonies is “Our Enduring Democracy: A Constitutional Promise.” Due to forecasts for severe weather, the committee announced that the inauguration would be moved from outdoors into the Capitol Rotunda, where the swearing-in ceremony will be held and the inaugural address delivered. In accordance with the US Constitution, on January 20 President-elect Donald J. Trump will take the oath of office as the 47th president of the United States, while Vice President-elect JD  Vance will become the 50th vice president.
 
Taiwan sincerely congratulates President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect Vance on their upcoming inauguration. It hopes that the two countries can build on their existing close partnership to further deepen cooperation across all domains; pursue their common interests; and work jointly to advance peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and the rest of the world. (E)

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Foreign Minister Lin hosts luncheon for British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group delegation

Date：2025-02-19
Data Source：Department of European Affairs

February 19, 2025  
No. 041  

On February 18, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung hosted a luncheon to welcome a delegation from the British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group led by its chair, Sarah Champion MP, who also chairs the House of Commons International Development Committee. In his remarks, Minister Lin thanked the members of the UK parliamentary cross-party group for demonstrating their support for Taiwan through concrete actions.
 
Minister Lin noted that the Group of Seven had consistently stressed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element to global security and prosperity since 2021, when the United Kingdom held the G7 rotating presidency. He thanked the UK government for continuing to underline the fact that the interests and security of the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic were indivisible. Furthermore, Minister Lin expressed gratitude to the House of Commons for passing a motion last November concerning Taiwan’s international status. The motion noted that United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 neither mentioned Taiwan nor addressed Taiwan’s status in the United Nations. Minister Lin said that he looked forward to Taiwan and the United Kingdom signing subarrangements under the framework of the Enhanced Trade Partnership Arrangement on investment, digital trade, and energy and net-zero transition in the near future. He also expressed the hope that the United Kingdom would publicly voice support for Taiwan’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
 
In her remarks, Ms. Champion noted that the international community was currently facing many challenges as authoritarian regimes continued to create conflict through various means. She said that democracies therefore needed to be more united to jointly defend freedom, human rights, and other core values. With friendship and cooperation between Taiwan and the United Kingdom continuing to deepen, Ms. Champion expressed hoped that the two sides would further strengthen collaboration on issues such as foreign information manipulation interference, critical infrastructure protection, and semiconductor supply chains. (E)

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Decision No. 1 for the Rules of Procedure of the Administrative Commission of the Economic Cooperation Agreement (ECA) between the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Government of Belize took effect on 28 December 2024.

Decision No. 1 for the Rules of Procedure was approved by consensus at the first meeting of the Administrative Commission of the ECA between Taiwan and Belize. The meeting was co-chaired by Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Chern-Chyi “C.C.” Chen and Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Belize Amalia Mai in January 2024.

More details about Decision No. 1 are available at this website: https://fta.trade.gov.tw/

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As Taiwan moves toward the ambitious goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications is driving the “Electrification and Decarbonization of Transportation” policy. With electric vehicles (EVs) becoming increasingly popular, the demand for safe and reliable EV charging equipment is on the rise. Recognizing this, the Bureau of Standards, Metrology, and Inspection (BSMI) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs announced on December 25, 2024, that starting July 1, 2026, EV charging equipment with a capacity of less than 30 kW must meet requirements for electrical safety, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), communication compatibility, and cybersecurity before being imported or sold. Products that comply with these requirements will be affixed with the “Commodity Inspection Mark,” signaling they meet BSMI’s high safety standards.

Unsafe or non-compliant charging equipment can pose serious risks, including electrical hazards and data security breaches. With EV charging stations expected to shift from public spaces to private homes and communities, ensuring the safety of these devices is more critical than ever. To ensure a smooth transition to these new requirements, the BSMI engaged extensively with stakeholders. In May 2024, it held a consultative meeting with industry associations and manufacturers, fostering two-way communication. Following this, a 60-day public consultation was conducted domestically and internationally. With no objections raised, the BSMI moved forward with its plan to include EV charging equipment under the mandatory inspection program.

The BSMI urges manufacturers to comply with these requirements and ensure accurate labeling to uphold consumer rights and safety. For consumers, the BSMI advises checking for the “Commodity Inspection Mark” (see attached) when purchasing EV charging equipment to ensure compliance with safety standards. Details of the new requirements are available on the BSMI website under the “Focus News” section of the “Business Announcements” page at http://www.bsmi.gov.tw. For further assistance, please call the BSMI toll-free number at 0800-007123.

Responsible Division: Inspection Administration Division
Contact Person: Cheng, Ching-Hong, Deputy Director
Tel. (O): +886-2343-1763
Email:ch.cheng@bsmi.gov.tw

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The Bureau of Industrial Parks (BIP) held the third annual “Advanced Seminar (Summary)” on (29th) as part of the LinYuan Industrial Park Comprehensive Inspection project. This event brought together central and local government officials, technical experts, and executives from 22 petrochemical companies to highlight and celebrate the achievements of the three-year initiative, paving the way for a more sustainable future for industrial parks.
The Director of BIP, Yang, Po-Keng, and LinYuan Project Convener Weng, Rong-Chou opened the seminar, expressing gratitude for the joint efforts. From 2022 to 2024, the initiative assisted 22 petrochemical factories in implementing a KPI management system focused on process safety, environmental protection, and fire response. The project achieved its objectives, laying a solid foundation for improved safety, reducing pollution, and enhancing fire response capabilities.
The BIPs outlined the project’s key achievements, including enhanced pipeline management with regular inspections and replacements, real-time anomaly tracking through monitoring systems, streamlined SOP adherence, improved reward mechanisms, better pollution control efficiency, and the adoption of digital tools for analyzing equipment leaks. The project also reinforced fire safety with self-check systems and diverse emergency drills. Beginning in 2025, businesses will transition to self-regulated management to sustain these gains.
Representatives from USI Group and Chang Chun Group shared insights into their KPI implementation efforts, underscoring their dedication to fostering a strong safety culture. During discussions, LinYuan Project Convener Weng emphasized addressing equipment aging and workforce shortages while building resilient safety practices. Deputy Convener Wu Rong-Ping discussed strategies for employee participation in emergency training and using AI to enhance disaster prevention, sparking dynamic exchanges.
The BIPs reaffirmed that safety in industrial parks is essential for corporate sustainability and environmental stewardship. Continued collaboration among businesses is vital. Companies committed to building on the project’s outcomes, utilizing smart technologies, setting new targets, and extending improvements to industry partners, positioning the LinYuan Industrial Park as a model of excellence.

Contact Person: Chiu, Hsin-Chang (Industrial Safety and Labor Affairs Section of Environment and Labor Affairs Division, BIP)
Contact Number: 886-7-3611212 ext. 429
Email: t1017@bip.gov.tw