MOFA response to Chinese Foreign Ministry affirming Somalia’s entry ban on Taiwan nationals
Date：2025-05-01
Data Source：Department of West Asian and African Affairs
May 1, 2025
In response to a question from Reuters on April 30, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it highly commended Somalia for having banned the entry of Taiwan nationals. The comments from the Chinese ministry clearly show that the Somalian government’s extremely unfriendly action against Taiwan was instigated by China.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) once again strongly condemns the Chinese authorities and demands that they immediately stop suppressing the Taiwanese people’s freedom of travel and deliberately misrepresenting United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758. This egregious behavior of the Chinese and Somalian governments that ignores people’s freedom and safety of travel can do nothing but undermine international peace and cause more instability around the world.
MOFA congratulates Friedrich Merz on appointment as German chancellor and formation of new government
Date：2025-05-07
Data Source：Department of European Affairs
May 7, 2025
No. 142
The Bundestag officially elected Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) as the new federal chancellor of Germany in a vote on May 6. The new government of Germany was formed by a coalition comprising the CDU/Christian Social Union faction and the Social Democratic Party of Germany. The new cabinet was sworn in on the same day.
On behalf of the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs extends sincere congratulations to the people and government of Germany. It has also instructed the Taipei Representative Office in Germany to promptly forward a congratulatory letter from President Lai Ching-te conveying expectations for even closer and more cordial relations between Taiwan and Germany.
In the new government’s coalition agreement, the chapter on foreign relations, national defense policy, development cooperation, and human rights states that Germany will continue to foster relations with Taiwan and reiterates that any change to the status quo regarding Taiwan must be carried out in a peaceful manner. It further maintains that a free, stable, and secure Indo-Pacific is in Germany’s fundamental interests. Such content underlines the new German government’s high regard for Taiwan-Germany relations and peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
Taiwan and Germany share the core values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. Taiwan looks forward to building on the existing solid foundation to steadily deepen comprehensive collaboration with the new German government and to jointly advance peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. (E)
MOFA response to US House of Representatives passing Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act and Taiwan International Solidarity Act
Date：2025-05-06
Data Source：Department of North American Affairs
May 6, 2025
On May 5, the US House of Representatives adopted two acts supportive of Taiwan. The Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act and the Taiwan International Solidarity Act were passed on voice votes without opposition. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung sincerely welcomes this development and thanks the US Congress for continuing to demonstrate bipartisan support for Taiwan through concrete legislation.
The Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act requires the US secretary of state to conduct periodic reviews of guidelines on relations with Taiwan, including any successor or related documents. It stipulates that reviews should be conducted at least once every five years and that a report should be submitted to Congress within 90 days after completing a review.
The Taiwan International Solidarity Act explicitly states that United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758 did not address the issue of representation of Taiwan and its people in the UN or related organizations. It also points out that the resolution did not take a position on the relationship between China and Taiwan or include any statement pertaining to Taiwan’s sovereignty. The act reaffirms US opposition to any initiative that seeks to change Taiwan’s status without the consent of the Taiwanese people. It calls on the US government to instruct its representatives in international organizations to advocate to resist China’s efforts to distort the decisions, language, policies, or procedures of the organizations regarding Taiwan. The act also urges the US government to appropriately encourage its allies and partners to oppose China’s efforts to undermine Taiwan’s official diplomatic relationships and its partnerships with countries with which it does not maintain diplomatic relations.
The passage of the pro-Taiwan legislation by the US Congress follows the US administration strongly condemning China at a recent UN Security Council meeting for misusing UNGA Resolution 2758 to try to isolate Taiwan. Minister Lin sincerely thanks the US administration and both sides of the congressional aisle for their support of Taiwan and calls on the international community to continue to take concrete actions against China’s mischaracterization of UNGA Resolution 2758. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will closely follow developments relating to the acts, maintain close contact with the US Congress and administration, and pragmatically and steadily deepen the cordial partnership between Taiwan and the United States.
Foreign Minister Lin leads cross-sector delegation to US state of Texas
Date：2025-05-06
Data Source：Department of North American Affairs
May 6, 2025
No. 140
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung on May 6 is traveling to the US state of Texas, leading a delegation representing industry, government, academia, and research institutes. The delegation includes representatives of the Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association, the AI Innovation and Application Alliance, and Taiwan’s Chinese International Economic Cooperation Association. Minister Lin will attend and address the Texas-Taiwan AI and Innovation Summit on May 9.
Since taking office, Minister Lin has actively advocated a policy of integrated diplomacy. His visit to Texas aims primarily to promote a Taiwan investment team for the United States and a US investment team for Taiwan as part of a roadmap introduced by President Lai Ching-te to deepen bilateral trade relations. This will facilitate the formation of a joint Taiwan-US economic task force that applies a new model for the division of labor, helping Taiwanese businesses expand into the US market and employ local technology, capital, and human resources to integrate into the US innovation ecosystem. It is further hoped that exchanges of views among frontline industry, government, academia, and research institutes will lead to an increase in bilateral investments, attract US companies to invest in Taiwan, and contribute to Taiwan’s industrial innovation and development.
Minister Lin’s visit is expected to steadily deepen exchanges between Taiwan and US states. Since President Lai assumed office, six US state governors, including Texas Governor Greg Abbott, have led delegations to Taiwan. Their concrete actions to support bilateral collaboration have enhanced Taiwan-US economic and trade exchanges and created substantive business opportunities. In recent years, the US federal government has issued three letters encouraging US states and the top 500 US businesses to foster relations with Taiwan, explicitly showing support for strengthening exchanges with Taiwan at all levels and across all areas. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs anticipates that the visit to Texas by Minister Lin and the industrial groups will further deepen reciprocal and mutually beneficial partnerships across various economic domains between Taiwan and the United States and Texas. (E)
MOFA congratulates Australia on successful completion of federal election
Date：2025-05-04
Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs
May 4, 2025No.136Australia held a federal election on May 3 to elect its 48th Parliament, including all 150 seats of the House of Representatives and 40 of the 76 seats in the Senate. According to the results, the ruling Australian Labor Party won a majority of seats. The smooth and peaceful election process was characteristic of a mature democracy. On behalf of the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses sincere congratulations to the people and government of Australia.Taiwan and Australia share the universal values of democracy, freedom, the rule of law, and human rights. Bilateral relations have continued to steadily grow in recent years. Collaboration is close in such fields as economics and trade, science and technology, information security, energy, and whole-of-society defense resilience. Last August, the Australian Senate passed an urgency motion refuting China’s flagrant misrepresentation of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758. The passage of the motion underlined the staunch cross-party support for Taiwan in the Australian Parliament.Building on these robust foundations, the government of Taiwan hopes to further enhance cooperation in all domains with the new government of Australia and jointly work to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. (E)
ROC (Taiwan) government congratulates Singapore on successful completion of general election
Date：2025-05-04
Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs
May 4, 2025No. 134Singapore smoothly completed the election of its 15th Parliament on May 4. The result was a victory for Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and the People’s Action Party that he leads. On behalf of the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its sincere congratulations to the people and government of Singapore on the successful conclusion of yet another parliamentary election.Taiwan and Singapore have long shared cordial ties. Bilateral cooperation has developed steadily in recent years, with the two sides maintaining close exchanges in economics, trade, semiconductors, technology, culture, and other domains. Taiwan looks forward to building on the existing foundations to further deepen collaboration with Singapore, jointly respond to global and regional challenges, and contribute to the advancement of peace, stability, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific. (E)
In a major step towards transforming vocational education in India, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the National Scheme for Industrial Training Institute (ITI) Upgradation and the Setting up of five (5) National Centres of Excellence for Skilling as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
National Scheme for Industrial Training Institute (ITI) Upgradation and Setting up of five (5) National Centres of Excellence (NCOE) for Skilling will be implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme as per announcement, made under Budget 2024-25 and Budget 2025-26 with outlay of Rs.60,000 crore (Central Share: Rs.30,000 crore, State Share: Rs.20,000 crore and Industry Share: Rs.10,000 crore), with co-financing to the extent of 50% of Central share by the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, equally.
The scheme will focus on upgradation of 1,000 Government ITIs in hub and spoke arrangement with industry aligned revamped trades (courses) and Capacity Augmentation of five (5) National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs), including setting up of five National Centres of Excellence for Skilling in these institutes.
The Scheme aims to position existing ITIs as government-owned, industry-managed aspirational institutes of skills, in collaboration with State Governments and industry. Over a five-year period, 20 lakh youth will be skilled through courses that address the human capital needs of industries. The scheme will focus on ensuring alignment between local workforce supply and industry demand, thereby facilitating industries, including MSMEs, in accessing employment-ready workers.
The financial assistance provided under various schemes in the past was suboptimal to meet the full upgradation needs of ITIs, particularly in addressing growing investment requirements for infrastructure upkeep, capacity expansion, and the introduction of capital-intensive, new-age trades. To overcome this, a need-based investment provision has been kept under the proposed scheme, allowing flexibility in fund allocation based on the specific infrastructure, capacity, and trade-related requirements of each institution. For the first time, the scheme seeks to establish deep industry connect in planning and management of ITI upgradation on a sustained basis. The scheme will adopt an industry-led Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) model for an outcome-driven implementation strategy, making it distinct from previous efforts to improve the ITI ecosystem.
Under the scheme, infrastructure upgradation for improved Training of Trainers (ToT) facilities will be undertaken in five National Skill. Training Institutes (NSTIs), namely Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kanpur, and Ludhiana. Additionally, pre-service and in-service training will be provided to 50,000 trainers.
By addressing long-standing challenges in infrastructure, course relevance, employability, and the perception of vocational training, the scheme aims to position ITIs at the forefront to cater to skilled manpower requirement, aligned to the nation’s journey to becoming a global manufacturing and innovation powerhouse. It will create a pipeline of skilled workers aligned with industry demand, thereby addressing skill shortages in high-growth sectors such as electronics, automotive, and renewable energy. In sum, the proposed scheme aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat, with skilling as a key enabler to meet both current and future industry needs.
Background:
Vocational education and training can be an immense driver of economic growth and productivity, as India embarks on its aspirational journey towards a developed nation by 2047. Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) have been the backbone of vocational education and training in India since the 1950s, operating under State Governments. While ITI network has expanded by nearly 47% since 2014, reaching 14,615 across with 14.40 lakh enrolment, vocational training via ITIs remains less aspirational and have also suffered from lack of systemic interventions to improve their infrastructure, and appeal.
While in the past there have been schemes to support the upgradation of ITIs, it is perhaps, the best time to scale incremental efforts of the last decade through a nationally scalable program for ITI re-imagination with course content and design aligned with industry needs to create a pool of skilled workforce as one of the key enablers to realize the goal of Viksit Bharat.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addresses the Global Conference on Space Exploration (GLEX) 2025 Space is not merely a destination but a declaration of curiosity, courage, and collective progress: PM
Indian rockets carry more than payloads—they carry the dreams of 1.4 billion Indians: PM
India’s first human spaceflight mission – Gaganyaan, reflects the nation’s growing aspirations in space technology: PM
Many of India’s space missions are being led by women scientists: PM
India’s space vision is rooted in the ancient philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’: PM
Posted On: 07 MAY 2025 12:37PM by PIB Delhi
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the Global Conference on Space Exploration (GLEX) 2025 via videoconferencing today. Welcoming the distinguished delegates, scientists, and astronauts from across the globe, he highlighted India’s remarkable space journey at the GLEX 2025, stating that, “space is not merely a destination but a declaration of curiosity, courage, and collective progress”. He emphasized that India’s space achievements reflect this spirit, from launching a small rocket in 1963 to becoming the first nation to land near the Moon’s South Pole. “Indian rockets carry more than payloads—they carry the dreams of 1.4 billion Indians”, he remarked, stating that India’s space advancements are significant scientific milestones and proof that the human spirit can defy gravity. He recalled India’s historic achievement of reaching Mars on its first attempt in 2014. He highlighted that Chandrayaan-1 helped discover water on the Moon, Chandrayaan-2 provided the highest-resolution images of the lunar surface, and Chandrayaan-3 furthered understanding of the Moon’s South Pole. “India developed cryogenic engines in record time, launched 100 satellites in a single mission, and successfully deployed over 400 satellites for 34 nations using Indian launch vehicles”, he pointed out, underlining India’s latest accomplishment—docking two satellites in space this year—calling it a major step forward in space exploration.
Shri Modi reaffirmed that India’s space journey is not about competing with others but about reaching greater heights together. He emphasized the collective goal of exploring space for the benefit of humanity. He highlighted India’s commitment to regional cooperation, recalling the successful launch of a satellite for South Asian nations. He announced that the G20 Satellite Mission, introduced during India’s Presidency, would be a significant contribution to the Global South. He remarked that India continues to advance with renewed confidence, constantly pushing the boundaries of scientific exploration. “India’s first human spaceflight mission, ‘Gaganyaan,’ reflects the nation’s growing aspirations in space technology”, he pointed out. Shri Modi revealed that, in the coming weeks, an Indian astronaut would travel to space as part of a joint ISRO-NASA mission to the International Space Station. He further outlined India’s long-term vision, stating that by 2035, the Bharatiya Antariksha Station would facilitate groundbreaking research and international collaboration. He declared that by 2040, an Indian astronaut would leave footprints on the Moon and added that Mars and Venus remain key targets in India’s future space ambitions.
Emphasizing that for India, space is not just about exploration but also empowerment, the Prime Minister highlighted how space technology enhances governance, improves livelihoods, and inspires generations. He noted the vital role of satellites in ensuring the welfare of every Indian, citing their contributions to fishermen alerts, the GatiShakti platform, railway safety, and weather forecasting. He underscored India’s commitment to fostering innovation by opening its space sector to startups, entrepreneurs, and young minds. He pointed out that India now has over 250 space startups, contributing to advancements in satellite technology, propulsion systems, imaging, and other pioneering fields. “Many of India’s space missions are being led by women scientists”, he proudly acknowledged.
“India’s space vision is rooted in the ancient philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’”, reaffirmed Shri Modi, stressing that India’s space journey is not just about its own growth but about enriching global knowledge, addressing shared challenges, and inspiring future generations. He emphasized India’s commitment to collaboration, stating that the nation stands for dreaming together, building together, and reaching for the stars together. Concluding his remarks, he called for a new chapter in space exploration, guided by science and the collective aspiration for a better future.
Distinguished delegates, Esteemed scientists, Innovators, Astronauts, And, Friends from across the globe,
Namaskaar !
It is a great pleasure to connect with all of you at the Global Space Exploration Conference 2025. Space is not just a destination. It is a declaration of curiosity, courage, and collective progress. India’s space journey reflects this spirit. From launching a small rocket in 1963, to becoming the first nation to land near the South Pole of Moon, our journey has been remarkable. Our rockets carry more than payloads. They carry the dreams of 1.4 billion Indians. India’s achievements are significant scientific milestones. Beyond that, they are proof that the human spirit can defy gravity. India made history by reaching Mars on its first attempt in 2014. Chandrayaan-1 helped discover water on the Moon. Chandrayaan-2 gave us the highest-resolution images of the Moon. Chandrayaan-3 increased our understanding of the lunar South Pole. We built cryogenic engines in a record time. We launched 100 satellites in a single mission. We have launched over 400 satellites for 34 nations on our launch vehicles. This year, we docked two satellites in space, a major step forward.
Friends,
India’s space journey is not about racing others. It is about reaching higher together. Together, we share a common goal to explore space for the good of humanity. We launched a satellite for the South Asian nations. Now, the G20 Satellite Mission, announced during our Presidency, will be a gift to the Global South. We continue to march ahead with renewed confidence, pushing the boundaries of scientific exploration. Our first human space-flight mission, ‘Gaganyaan’, highlights our nation’s rising aspirations. In coming weeks, an Indian astronaut will travel to space as part of a joint ISRO-NASA Mission to the International Space Station. By 2035, the Bharatiya Antariksha Station will open new frontiers in research and global cooperation. By 2040, an Indian’s footprints will be on the Moon. Mars and Venus are also on our radar.
Friends,
For India, space is about exploration as well as about empowerment. It empowers governance, enhances livelihoods, and inspires generations. From fishermen alerts to GatiShakti platform, from railway safety to weather forecasting, our satellites look out for the welfare of every Indian. We have opened our space sector to startups, entrepreneurs, and young minds. Today, India has over 250 space start-ups. They are contributing to cutting-edge advancements in satellite technology, Propulsion systems, imaging, and much more. And, you know, it is even more inspiring that many of our missions are being led by women scientists.
Friends,
India’s space vision is grounded in the ancient wisdom of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, that is, the world is one family. We strive not just for our own growth, but to enrich global knowledge, address common challenges, and inspire future generations. India stands for dreaming together, building together, and reaching for the stars together. Let us together write a new chapter in space exploration, guided by science and shared dreams for a better tomorrow. I wish you all a very pleasant and productive stay in India.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Security Bureau held an interdepartmental pre-typhoon tabletop exercise today (May 7) at the Emergency Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC) in the Central Government Offices to enhance the emergency response and collaboration of bureaux, departments and other parties concerned in handling possible emergency situations if Hong Kong is struck by a super typhoon.
According to the Hong Kong Observatory’s forecast, five to eight tropical cyclones are expected to hit Hong Kong this year. The tropical cyclone season will begin in June or earlier, and end in October or later. To ensure comprehensive preparedness, representatives from around 40 bureaux, departments and other parties concerned participated in this year’s exercise.
The exercise simulated a scenario in which a super typhoon and heavy rainstorm battered Hong Kong, causing widespread destruction, property damage and serious blockage of main thoroughfares. Participants were required to outline their response measures under different scenarios. The exercise served as an interdisciplinary platform for the participants to share their experience and expertise, and allowed the participating parties to gain a deeper understanding of the operation of the EMSC as well as their respective roles and responsibilities, with a view to enhancing the preparedness and interdepartmental collaboration in responding to threats posed by super typhoons.
The Government will continue to strengthen the overall preparedness and response capabilities to address the challenges posed by extreme weather, protecting Hong Kong people’s lives and properties.