Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

May 17, 2026  No. 213  
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung and Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang cohosted a banquet in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 16 for World Health Assembly (WHA) delegations and permanent representatives from diplomatic allies of Taiwan. Minister Lin and Minister Shih expressed appreciation for their continued and steadfast support of Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization (WHO) and exchanged views on related issues with the guests. This marked the first time that Taiwan’s minister of foreign affairs and minister of health and welfare had both traveled to Geneva to promote Taiwan’s bid for participation. The two ministers engaged in lively interactions with representatives from Taiwan’s diplomatic allies during the banquet. Minister Lin said that the inaugural Taiwan Smart Medical and Health Tech Expo would be held parallel to the WHA this year to showcase Taiwan’s achievements in smart medicine, smart technologies, and humanitarian assistance. He noted that it would convey the spirit of Taiwan can help and Taiwan can lead while also aiming to deepen global health cooperation. He stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) had been actively promoting the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project to assist allied nations in enhancing their medical and healthcare capabilities and supporting sustainable development. He added that these efforts had received widespread recognition. Furthermore, he emphasized that during the COVID-19 pandemic and in other times of international need, Taiwan had promptly provided medical supplies, humanitarian aid, and technical assistance, fully demonstrating that Taiwan was a responsible member of the international community and concretely implementing the concept of health without borders. Minister Lin reiterated that Taiwan was part of the world, that it had the right to participate in global affairs, and that its determination to actively participate in WHO, the WHA, and related mechanisms remained unchanged. He also thanked Taiwan’s diplomatic allies for their support and stressed that only through international cooperation could a healthier, more secure, and more resilient world be built. Minister Shih underscored that Taiwan continued to work with its diplomatic allies to advance medical and health care in such areas as health information, chronic disease prevention and treatment, maternal and infant health, and mental health, thereby seeking to improve global health and well-being. On behalf of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), he thanked the countries for supporting Taiwan’s participation in WHO and the WHA. He also sincerely invited their representatives to attend the 2026 Global Health and Welfare Forum in Taiwan to jointly create a digital health future centered on trust.Speaking at the event on behalf of Taiwan’s allies, Palau Vice President and Minister of Health and Human Services Raynold Oilouch stated that all diplomatic allies at the event shared the vision of leaving no one behind. He also recognized Taiwan’s long-term contributions in such domains as health care, infrastructure, sustainable agriculture, and education, which had strengthened familial-like bonds and partnerships between Taiwan and its diplomatic allies. He called on the international community to support Taiwan’s participation in global affairs to ensure Taiwan’s voice would be heard. He thanked the countries present for their support of and friendship with Taiwan at such events as the WHA. The banquet was jointly hosted by Minister Lin and Minister Shih in Geneva and attended by the 11 diplomatic allies of Taiwan that are members of WHO—namely, Belize, Eswatini, Guatemala, Haiti, the Marshall Islands, Palau, Paraguay, Tuvalu, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The event helped further Taiwan’s exchanges and cooperation in medicine and health with diplomatic allies and bolstered their support for Taiwan’s international participation. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

May 17, 2026  No. 213  
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung and Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang cohosted a banquet in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 16 for World Health Assembly (WHA) delegations and permanent representatives from diplomatic allies of Taiwan. Minister Lin and Minister Shih expressed appreciation for their continued and steadfast support of Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization (WHO) and exchanged views on related issues with the guests. This marked the first time that Taiwan’s minister of foreign affairs and minister of health and welfare had both traveled to Geneva to promote Taiwan’s bid for participation. The two ministers engaged in lively interactions with representatives from Taiwan’s diplomatic allies during the banquet. Minister Lin said that the inaugural Taiwan Smart Medical and Health Tech Expo would be held parallel to the WHA this year to showcase Taiwan’s achievements in smart medicine, smart technologies, and humanitarian assistance. He noted that it would convey the spirit of Taiwan can help and Taiwan can lead while also aiming to deepen global health cooperation. He stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) had been actively promoting the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project to assist allied nations in enhancing their medical and healthcare capabilities and supporting sustainable development. He added that these efforts had received widespread recognition. Furthermore, he emphasized that during the COVID-19 pandemic and in other times of international need, Taiwan had promptly provided medical supplies, humanitarian aid, and technical assistance, fully demonstrating that Taiwan was a responsible member of the international community and concretely implementing the concept of health without borders. Minister Lin reiterated that Taiwan was part of the world, that it had the right to participate in global affairs, and that its determination to actively participate in WHO, the WHA, and related mechanisms remained unchanged. He also thanked Taiwan’s diplomatic allies for their support and stressed that only through international cooperation could a healthier, more secure, and more resilient world be built. Minister Shih underscored that Taiwan continued to work with its diplomatic allies to advance medical and health care in such areas as health information, chronic disease prevention and treatment, maternal and infant health, and mental health, thereby seeking to improve global health and well-being. On behalf of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), he thanked the countries for supporting Taiwan’s participation in WHO and the WHA. He also sincerely invited their representatives to attend the 2026 Global Health and Welfare Forum in Taiwan to jointly create a digital health future centered on trust.Speaking at the event on behalf of Taiwan’s allies, Palau Vice President and Minister of Health and Human Services Raynold Oilouch stated that all diplomatic allies at the event shared the vision of leaving no one behind. He also recognized Taiwan’s long-term contributions in such domains as health care, infrastructure, sustainable agriculture, and education, which had strengthened familial-like bonds and partnerships between Taiwan and its diplomatic allies. He called on the international community to support Taiwan’s participation in global affairs to ensure Taiwan’s voice would be heard. He thanked the countries present for their support of and friendship with Taiwan at such events as the WHA. The banquet was jointly hosted by Minister Lin and Minister Shih in Geneva and attended by the 11 diplomatic allies of Taiwan that are members of WHO—namely, Belize, Eswatini, Guatemala, Haiti, the Marshall Islands, Palau, Paraguay, Tuvalu, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The event helped further Taiwan’s exchanges and cooperation in medicine and health with diplomatic allies and bolstered their support for Taiwan’s international participation. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA greatly welcomes G7 leaders’ statement opposing any unilateral attempts to change cross-strait status quo

Date：2026-06-17
Data Source：Department of European Affairs

June 17, 2026  No. 272  Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung warmly welcomes the Group of Seven (G7) leaders’ statement on geopolitical issues, which was released following the G7 summit in Evian, France, from June 15 to 17. The statement emphasized the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific region based on the rule of law. It also reiterated the G7’s staunch opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East China Sea, the South China Sea, and across the Taiwan Strait—particularly through force or coercion—and advocated the peaceful resolution of differences through dialogue. Minister Lin sincerely thanks G7 members for continuing to demonstrate through concrete action the high level of importance they attach to cross-strait peace and stability.

The fact that the statement reaffirmed the G7’s support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait underscores that maintaining the status quo has become an international consensus. As a responsible democratic country in the Indo-Pacific, Taiwan will continue to work with G7 members and like-minded partners worldwide to jointly safeguard the rules-based international order and contribute to regional peace, stability, and prosperity. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The European Union and Taiwan hold the eighth Human Rights Consultations

Date：2026-04-27
Data Source：Department of European Affairs

April 27, 2026  
No. 163  

The European Union and Taiwan held the eighth Human Rights Consultations on 24 April in Brussels. 

The frank and constructive consultations provided a valuable platform to update each other on respective human rights situation and review developments in law, policies and actions made over the past year. The EU and Taiwan reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting and protecting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. 

The EU reaffirmed its longstanding opposition to the death penalty, in all cases and all circumstances, and called upon Taiwan to apply a durable de facto moratorium on executions, to guarantee full legal and procedural safeguards and to adopt a consistent and sustained path towards the complete abolition of the death penalty in Taiwan.  

The consultations allowed the EU to address specific human rights issues, such as the need to promote and protect the rights of migrant workers, especially in the fishing industry, and those of domestic workers. The EU and Taiwan also discussed business and human rights, gender equality, digital human rights and media freedom.

The consultations confirmed the importance of promoting, protecting and fulfilling universal human rights and abiding by international human rights norms. 

The EU and Taiwan agreed to continue exchanges and cooperation on human rights, in particular on the issues raised during the consultations.

The meeting was co-chaired on EU side by Ellis Mathews, Head of Human Rights Division and Nicoletta Pusterla, Acting Head of Division for China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Mongolia, and Minister without Portfolio Ming-Hsin Lin for Taiwan.

Ahead of the Human Rights Consultations, on 9 April, the EU held a dedicated meeting with Taiwan civil society organizations on the human rights situation in Taiwan.（E）

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The European Union and Taiwan hold the eighth Human Rights Consultations

Date：2026-04-27
Data Source：Department of European Affairs

April 27, 2026  
No. 163  

The European Union and Taiwan held the eighth Human Rights Consultations on 24 April in Brussels. 

The frank and constructive consultations provided a valuable platform to update each other on respective human rights situation and review developments in law, policies and actions made over the past year. The EU and Taiwan reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting and protecting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. 

The EU reaffirmed its longstanding opposition to the death penalty, in all cases and all circumstances, and called upon Taiwan to apply a durable de facto moratorium on executions, to guarantee full legal and procedural safeguards and to adopt a consistent and sustained path towards the complete abolition of the death penalty in Taiwan.  

The consultations allowed the EU to address specific human rights issues, such as the need to promote and protect the rights of migrant workers, especially in the fishing industry, and those of domestic workers. The EU and Taiwan also discussed business and human rights, gender equality, digital human rights and media freedom.

The consultations confirmed the importance of promoting, protecting and fulfilling universal human rights and abiding by international human rights norms. 

The EU and Taiwan agreed to continue exchanges and cooperation on human rights, in particular on the issues raised during the consultations.

The meeting was co-chaired on EU side by Ellis Mathews, Head of Human Rights Division and Nicoletta Pusterla, Acting Head of Division for China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Mongolia, and Minister without Portfolio Ming-Hsin Lin for Taiwan.

Ahead of the Human Rights Consultations, on 9 April, the EU held a dedicated meeting with Taiwan civil society organizations on the human rights situation in Taiwan.（E）

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA welcomes visit to Taiwan by US Deputy Permanent Representative to the WTO Bisbee

Date：2026-06-10
Data Source：Department of International Cooperation and Economic Affairs

June 10, 2026  
No. 260  

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) extends a warm welcome to David Bisbee, Deputy Permanent Representative of the United States to the World Trade Organization, who is visiting Taiwan from June 10 to 14.
 
Deputy Permanent Representative Bisbee is a senior official at the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). He has extensive experience in international trade and economics, having previously served as a delegate at the USTR’s Geneva office, a deputy assistant US trade representative, and a director in the Southeast Asia and Pacific office of the USTR.
 
While in Taiwan, Deputy Permanent Representative Bisbee will call at the Office of Trade Negotiations, the Mainland Affairs Council, and the International Trade Administration. He will also attend a luncheon hosted by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung and visit Taiwanese technology companies. Through the trip, Deputy Permanent Representative Bisbee will gain a deeper understanding of current developments in trade, economics, technology, democracy, and other areas in Taiwan.
 
Amid the rapidly changing international geopolitical and economic landscape, the United States remains a staunch partner of Taiwan. MOFA looks forward to further deepening interactions and exchanges between the two countries both in bilateral spheres and multilateral trade frameworks to jointly promote the continued development of the Taiwan-US partnership. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

June 2, 2026  No. 248  International support for Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization (WHO) has remained strong despite the WHO decision—in contravention of its principle of leaving no one behind—to yield to pressure from China and exclude the 23 million people of Taiwan from the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA), which concluded on May 23. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and its overseas missions made concerted efforts to maintain global backing. For this year’s WHA, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung led a Taiwan public healthcare team to Geneva to host the Taiwan Smart Medical and HealthTech Expo. Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang also traveled to Switzerland for the occasion, marking the first time that Taiwan’s minister of foreign affairs and minister of health and welfare jointly promoted Taiwan’s bid in Geneva.

Formed by representatives of 30 leading domestic healthcare facilities and businesses, the public healthcare team showcased Taiwan’s innovation capabilities, smart technology, and resilience and gave the international community a more comprehensive understanding of the contributions that Taiwan can make to public health.

Attracting 1,300 visitors, the expo facilitated talks between Taiwanese participants and 683 foreign buyers. The value of preliminary orders reached US$1.2 million, and US$6.71 million in other potential business opportunities were identified, making the event a great success. 

In Geneva, Minister Lin interacted with delegates from allies and like-minded countries to cultivate support for Taiwan. One week before the opening of the WHA, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Baushuan Ger also visited the city, where he met with the WHA representatives of 14 diplomatic allies and friendly countries to gain their endorsement.

MOFA sincerely appreciates all the backing it has received from the international community. The 11 diplomatic allies of Taiwan that are WHO members submitted proposals and spoke up for Taiwan at the WHA. In particular, Haiti, Belize, Palau, and Paraguay engaged in two-on-two debates with China and its allies at the WHA General Committee and plenary session. Furthermore, 15 like-minded countries championed Taiwan’s bid, including Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Estonia, Luxembourg, Sweden, Latvia, and Israel. The European Union (represented by Cyprus) also extended support. 

As China and its allies continued to distort United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1 at the WHA, Haiti, Palau, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Belize publicly and strongly refuted such claims, emphasizing that the resolutions had nothing to do with Taiwan and could not serve as basis for precluding Taiwan’s participation in WHO or the UN system. At the plenary session on May 22, the Japanese delegation also openly contested China’s misrepresentation of UNGA Resolution 2758. 

To express staunch support for Taiwan’s participation in WHO and the WHA, the representative offices in Taiwan of nine countries—Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Poland, and Lithuania—issued a joint statement during the WHA. Moreover, the executive and legislative branches of government of over 50 countries also advocated for Taiwan through social media, letters, and resolutions. These efforts were spearheaded by US Permanent Representative to the UN Michael Waltz; former US Permanent Representative to the UN Nikki Haley; Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard; Spanish Cochair of the Formosa Club Eloy Suárez and 39 club members; the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom; and the European Parliament. Internationally renowned healthcare organizations, such as the World Medical Association and the Standing Committee of European Doctors, as well as professional medical organizations and healthcare professionals from Europe, Asia, and Latin America, submitted letters to the WHO director-general on behalf of Taiwan and issued public statements. 

Meanwhile, to further aid Ukraine in public health, Taiwan’s International Cooperation and Development Fund and Malteser International, the international humanitarian relief agency of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, signed a letter of intent for cooperation during the WHA on rehabilitation and psychosocial support programs for amputees in Ukraine. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Minister Lin. Through this initiative, Taiwan will assist with training 250 healthcare professionals, including prosthetists, physical therapists, and psychotherapists in Ukraine, helping 3,000 amputees and their families with physical rehabilitation and psychological recovery and demonstrating that humanitarianism knows no borders. 

A cross-party delegation of legislators comprising Liao Wei-hsiang, Kuo Yu-ching, and Chen Gau-tzu traveled to Geneva this year to demonstrate to the international community through concrete action that the Taiwan government’s WHO bid enjoyed strong backing from across the political spectrum and the public. 

Furthermore, around 150 people from Taiwanese communities and student groups overseas gathered in Geneva to hold exhibitions, organize marches and parades, and participate in forums and international seminars, bolstering the government’s efforts and highlighting Taiwan’s appeal and determination to participate in WHO and the WHA.

Through the active coordination and arrangements of MOFA and its overseas missions, a total of 443 media contributions were published. These included articles by Minister Shih and overseas missions in international media outlets, interviews with heads of missions, and supportive columns and commentaries by scholars and experts. Videos for this year’s WHA bid and the Taiwan Smart Medical and HealthTech Expo received more than 429,000 views. MOFA and its overseas missions made a total of 1,695 posts in multiple languages on such social media platforms as Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and X, reaching over 1.2 million views. 

This year in Geneva, Taiwan successfully adopted new approaches in its international engagement through positive, active, and creative outreach. Besides creating opportunities overseas for Taiwanese enterprises, our efforts have ensured that the international public health community was fully aware that excluding Taiwan from WHO would be detrimental to all mankind. These efforts fully exemplified the integrated diplomacy policy, encompassing the aspects of values-based diplomacy, alliance diplomacy, and economic diplomacy. 

MOFA will continue to leverage cross-agency cooperation and public-private efforts to inject further momentum into Taiwan’s WHO bid. It will also work with global partners to advance the health, well-being, and the right to health of all of humanity. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to China’s claims concerning Japan-Philippines negotiations on maritime boundary

Date：2026-05-31
Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

May 31, 2026
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly refutes assertions made on May 29 by the spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs concerning negotiations between Japan and the Philippines on maritime boundaries between the two countries. The spokesperson said that these negotiations would cover maritime territory of Taiwan and claimed that China enjoyed sovereign rights over such territory in accordance with its domestic laws. MOFA reiterates that China has no right to comment on the territory and appertaining waters of the Republic of China (Taiwan). 
 
In a joint statement issued after their May 28 summit, Japan and the Philippines announced that they had decided to launch formal negotiations to delimit the maritime boundary of the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf between the two countries in accordance with international law, in particular the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. 
 
MOFA commends Japan and the Philippines for working to resolve maritime differences through peaceful dialogue and based on respect for international law. This is in line with Taiwan’s consistent approach on such matters. Taiwan looks forward to cooperating with Japan and the Philippines to jointly make concrete contributions to regional peace and stability and the preservation of marine ecology.
 
MOFA reiterates that the Republic of China (Taiwan) has consistently held to the principle of shelving disputes and seeking joint development with regard to settling maritime disputes. Taiwan is willing to work with Japan and the Philippines on the basis of respective bilateral fisheries agreements to advance discussions on sharing maritime resources, maintaining the maritime security of the Indo-Pacific region, and ensuring the sustainable development of marine ecosystems.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to joint statement by Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi and Philippine President Marcos

Date：2026-05-29
Data Source：TAIWAN-JAPAN RELATIONS ASSOCIATION

May 29, 2026  Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung commends and welcomes the joint statement issued following a summit meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. in Tokyo on the evening of May 28.

The statement emphasized the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and encouraged a peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues through dialogue. It marked the first time that the leaders of Japan and the Philippines used a joint statement to express their keen attention to Taiwan Strait issues, showing that safeguarding Taiwan Strait peace and stability is a matter of common consensus among the international community.

In addition to expressing serious concern over the situation in the East and South China Seas and strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion, the joint statement announced that Japan and the Philippines, as maritime democracies, would elevate bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership and further deepen cooperation in such areas as security, maritime affairs, economic development, critical minerals, and supply chain resilience.

Peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are crucial to security and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific region. As it pursues integrated diplomacy, Taiwan will continue to deepen collaboration with like-minded nations in all areas, working together to uphold the rules-based international order and jointly advance democracy, peace, and prosperous development throughout the Indo-Pacific.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

April 26, 2026  No.160  On April 25, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung, acting as presidential envoy, attended celebrations in Eswatini to mark the 40th anniversary of the accession of King Mswati III, the king’s 58th birthday, and the 58th anniversary of Eswatini’s independence. A highlight of the events was the opening of the International Convention Centre (ICC), a partnership project between Taiwan and Eswatini. 

Minister Lin conveyed sincere congratulations to the king on behalf of the government of Taiwan, and President Lai Ching-te delivered congratulatory remarks in a prerecorded video played at the venue. Minister Lin, heads of state and representatives of various African countries, members of the Eswatini royal family, and other prominent political figures jointly witnessed the mutually supportive, rock-solid, and genuine friendship between Taiwan and Eswatini.

In his video address, President Lai said that he wished he was in Eswatini to extend the best wishes of the people of Taiwan, adding that it was a great honor to represent them in commemorating the king’s Ruby Jubilee and celebrating the historic triple milestone of 58s—the king’s 58th birthday, the 58th anniversary of Eswatini’s independence, and 58 years of diplomatic relations between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Eswatini. He noted that the special occasion was a national celebration in Eswatini and a powerful symbol of the staunch partnership between the two countries.

President Lai stated that, under the king’s leadership over the past 40 years, Eswatini had shone like a jewel of Africa due to its tremendous progress in the areas of infrastructure, social welfare, health care, and regional stability. He said that Eswatini’s achievements in economic and social development highlighted the outcomes of bilateral efforts to foster mutual prosperity, showing the world that sincere friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation could forge a brighter future for the people of both nations.

President Lai thanked the king and the government of Eswatini for staunchly supporting Taiwan’s international participation and reiterated that the ROC (Taiwan) was a sovereign country that belonged to the world. He added that Taiwan’s 23 million people had the right to engage with the international community and that the greater the external pressure that Taiwan faced, the more courage and resolve it would have to move forward.

Virtue never stands alone—it always has neighbors. Taiwan is especially grateful to its diplomatic allies; the European Union; the United States; Japan; friends in Central and South America, Oceania, Africa, and other regions; and the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China and other transnational organizations for their timely support and assistance. With strong backing from diplomatic allies and partner countries, Minister Lin’s delegation was able to overcome challenges and successfully attend the celebrations, despite facing a new form of suppression in China’s politicization and weaponization of flight information regions. The visit demonstrated that Taiwan-Eswatini ties are rock-solid and showed that heavy-handed tactics will not isolate democratic Taiwan.

MOFA again strongly condemns and protests China’s long-standing use of underhanded tactics to maliciously suppress Taiwan and attempt to severe its links with the international community. China’s maneuvers will do nothing to undermine Taiwan’s status as a sovereign and independent country. Its actions run counter to the global desire for democratic values and international order. The government of Taiwan reiterates that external threats of any kind will not weaken Taiwan’s determination to engage with the world. When faced with challenges, Taiwan will show even greater resolve to secure its rightful place in the international community. (E)