MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority published today (May 15) the credit card lending survey results for the first quarter of 2026.

Following an increase of 8.7 per cent in the previous quarter as driven by festive spending and salaries tax payment, total card receivables decreased by 3.8 per cent in the first quarter to HK$158.0 billion at end-March 2026.

The combined delinquent and rescheduled ratio was 0.45 per cent at end-March 2026, compared with 0.40 per cent at the previous quarter-end. The charge-off ratio for the first quarter of 2026 was 0.56 per cent, compared with 0.62 per cent in the previous quarter.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Government released today (May 15) the First Quarter Economic Report 2026, together with the revised figures on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the first quarter of 2026.

The Government Economist, Ms Irina Fan, gave an account of the economic performance in the first quarter of 2026 and the latest GDP and price forecasts for 2026.

Main points 

＊ The Hong Kong economy expanded robustly in the first quarter of 2026, driven by the sustained strong performance in external trade and pick-up in domestic demand. Real GDP grew by 5.9% over a year earlier in the first quarter, accelerating from the 4.0% growth in the preceding quarter. On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, real GDP rose notably by 2.9%. 

＊ Total exports of goods grew markedly by 23.7% year-on-year in real terms in the first quarter, underpinned by sustained global demand for artificial intelligence (AI)-related electronic products and buoyant regional trade flows in Asia. Exports of services continued to expand solidly by 3.5% in real terms over a year earlier, with broad-based growth across all major service groups.

＊ Domestic demand strengthened across both consumption and investment. Private consumption expenditure saw accelerated growth of 4.9% year-on-year in real terms in the first quarter, reflecting the more entrenched recovery in households’ spending. Overall investment expenditure continued to expand at a double-digit rate of 17.7% year-on-year in real terms in the first quarter, alongside the robust economic growth.

＊ The labour market showed modest improvement in the first quarter. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged down further by 0.1 percentage point from the preceding quarter to 3.7% in the first quarter. The underemployment rate also decreased by 0.1 percentage point to 1.6%. Average employment earnings continued to record year-on-year growth in the first quarter.

＊ The local stock market saw varying monthly performance during the first quarter. The Hang Seng Index (HSI) rallied to a four-and-a-half-year high of nearly 28 000 in January, moved sideways in February, and corrected in March after the Middle East conflict. Trading and fund‑raising activities remained strong throughout the quarter. More lately, since entering the second quarter, the HSI has largely recovered the earlier lost ground and returned to the pre-conflict levels. Separately, the residential property market continued to strengthen in the first quarter, with both prices and rentals recording further increases. 

＊ Consumer price inflation stayed modest in the first quarter, though it picked up somewhat in March, mainly driven by fuel-related components amid higher international oil prices. Price pressures in other components were largely contained. The underlying Composite Consumer Price Index (Composite CPI) rose by 1.4% in the first quarter over a year earlier, following the 1.1% increase in the preceding quarter.
  
＊ Looking ahead, Hong Kong’s economic outlook remains broadly resilient. Strong global demand for advanced electronics and AI‑related products is expected to support goods export performance, while services exports should remain firm, underpinned by sustained vibrancy in inbound tourism, robust cross-boundary financial activity, and steady demand for business services. Relatively solid consumer sentiment and resilient business outlook are expected to support domestic demand. The impacts of the Middle East conflict on the Hong Kong economy have so far been limited. Yet, the outlook of the conflict remains highly uncertain. A further escalation or persistence of tensions could heighten global financial market volatility, posing downside risks to growth and upside risks to inflation.
  
＊ Taking into account the stronger-than-expected outturn in the first quarter and the potential near-term headwinds in the external environment, the real GDP growth forecast for 2026 as a whole is maintained at 2.5% – 3.5%, the same as that announced in the Budget. Risk to growth is tilted to the downside due to the uncertainty surrounding the actual outcome of the scale and duration of the Middle East conflict.
   
＊ On the inflation outlook, the feed-through of higher international oil prices to fuel-related components in consumer prices should continue in the coming months. Overall inflation in Hong Kong is, however, expected to remain relatively well anchored, reflecting the city’s low energy intensity as a predominantly service-oriented economy, with stable energy supplies from the Chinese Mainland (Mainland) helping to mitigate external shocks. Taking into account the actual inflation situation in the first quarter and the factors mentioned above, the forecasts for the underlying and headline consumer price inflation rates for 2026 are revised up to 2.5% and 2.6% respectively, from 1.7% and 1.8% as announced in the Budget.
 
＊ In the past two months, the Government has introduced short-term, targeted measures to provide timely relief to sectors with relatively high fuel cost. The Government remains vigilant to the risks of further escalation of the conflict, will closely monitor the developments, and will respond further as appropriate to safeguard price stability.

Details 

GDP

According to the revised figures released today by the Census and Statistics Department, real GDP grew robustly by 5.9% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026 (same as the advance estimate), having increased by 4.0% in the preceding quarter. On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, real GDP rose by 2.9% in the first quarter (same as the advance estimate), further to the 1.1% increase in the preceding quarter (Chart).

The latest figures on GDP and its major expenditure components up to the first quarter of 2026 are presented in Table 1. Developments in different segments of the economy in the first quarter are described below.

External trade

Total exports of goods grew markedly by 23.7% year-on-year in real terms in the first quarter of 2026, following an increase of 15.4% in the preceding quarter. The strong export growth was supported by the sustained global demand for AI-related electronic products and buoyant regional trade flows in Asia. Recent data still pointed to continued strengthening of export shipments within the region. Analysed by major market and with reference to external merchandise trade statistics, exports to the Mainland maintained double-digit growth. Exports to Association of Southeast Asian Nations markets continued to surge, and those to most advanced economies in Asia increased further. Exports to the United States showed strong growth, and those to the European Union grew solidly. On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter basis, total exports of goods rose notably by 15.9% in real terms in the first quarter.

Exports of services continued to expand solidly by 3.5% in real terms in the first quarter over a year earlier, after rising by 4.7% in the preceding quarter. Broad-based growth was seen across all major service groups. Specifically, exports of travel services continued to grow visibly, driven by strong inbound tourism. Exports of transport services and financial services grew moderately, amid solid performance in cross-boundary traffic and financial service activities. Exports of business and other services also showed moderate growth. On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter basis, exports of services decreased slightly by 0.4% in real terms in the first quarter. 

Domestic sector

Private consumption saw accelerated growth in the first quarter of 2026, indicating a more entrenched recovery in households’ spending. Private consumption expenditure rose by 4.9% in real terms in the first quarter over a year earlier, after an increase of 2.5% in the preceding quarter. On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter basis, private consumption expenditure rose by 1.7% in real terms. Meanwhile, government consumption expenditure increased by 3.0% in real terms in the first quarter over a year earlier, after rising by 1.5% in the preceding quarter. On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter basis, government consumption expenditure increased by 1.5% in real terms.

Overall investment expenditure in terms of gross domestic fixed capital formation continued to expand at a double-digit rate of 17.7% year-on-year in real terms in the first quarter, following an 11.7% increase in the preceding quarter. Expenditure on acquisitions of machinery, equipment and intellectual property products surged, with private sector spending showing particularly strong growth. Costs of ownership transfer soared amid active property transactions. Expenditure on building and construction turned to an increase, driven by a pick-up in the public sector.

Labour sector

The labour market showed modest improvement in the first quarter of 2026. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged down further by 0.1 percentage point from the preceding quarter to 3.7% in the first quarter. The underemployment rate also decreased by 0.1 percentage point to 1.6%. The average monthly employment earnings of full-time employees (excluding foreign domestic helpers) continued to increase, by 5.6% in nominal terms or 4.0% in real terms in the first quarter over a year earlier.

Asset markets

The local stock market saw varying monthly performance during the first quarter of 2026. The HSI rallied to a four-and-a-half-year high of nearly 28 000 in January, moved sideways in February, and corrected in March after the Middle East conflict. The HSI closed the first quarter at 24 788, down by 3.3% from end-2025. Nevertheless, trading and fund‑raising activities remained strong throughout the quarter. More lately, since entering the second quarter, the HSI has largely recovered the earlier lost ground and returned to the pre-conflict levels. On May 13, the HSI closed at 26 388, up somewhat by 3.0% over end-2025.

The residential property market continued to strengthen in the first quarter. The number of transactions, in terms of the total number of sale and purchase agreements for residential property received by the Land Registry, increased notably further by 9% over the preceding quarter to 18 654 in the first quarter. This was the highest level since the third quarter of 2021, and also 53% higher than the level a year ago. Overall flat prices rose further by 4% during the first quarter. The index of home purchase affordability went up in the first quarter amid the continued rise in flat prices. Overall flat rentals rose further by 1% in the first quarter. The non-residential property market remained soft in the first quarter. Transactions of office space moderated, though those for retail shop space and flatted factories rose.

Prices

Consumer price inflation stayed modest in the first quarter of 2026, though it picked up somewhat in March, mainly driven by fuel-related components amid higher international oil prices. Price pressures in other components were largely contained. The underlying Composite CPI rose by 1.4% in the first quarter over a year earlier, following the 1.1% increase in the preceding quarter. Including the effects of the Government’s one-off relief measures, the headline Composite CPI increased by 1.6% year-on-year in the first quarter.

Latest GDP and price forecasts for 2026 

Looking ahead, Hong Kong’s economic outlook remains broadly resilient. Strong global demand for advanced electronics and AI‑related products is expected to support goods export performance, while services exports should remain firm, underpinned by sustained vibrancy in inbound tourism, robust cross-boundary financial activity, and steady demand for business services. Relatively solid consumer sentiment and resilient business outlook are expected to support domestic demand. The impacts of the Middle East conflict on the Hong Kong economy have so far been limited. Yet, the outlook of the conflict remains highly uncertain. A further escalation or persistence of tensions could heighten global financial market volatility, posing downside risks to growth and upside risks to inflation.

Taking into account the stronger-than-expected outturn in the first quarter and the potential near-term headwinds in the external environment, the real GDP growth forecast for 2026 as a whole is maintained at 2.5% – 3.5%, the same as that announced in the Budget (Table 2). Risk to growth is tilted to the downside due to the uncertainty surrounding the actual outcome of the scale and duration of the Middle East conflict.

On the inflation outlook, the feed-through of higher international oil prices to fuel-related components in consumer prices should continue in the coming months. Overall inflation in Hong Kong is, however, expected to remain relatively well anchored, reflecting the city’s low energy intensity as a predominantly service-oriented economy, with stable energy supplies from the Mainland helping to mitigate external shocks. Taking into account the actual inflation situation in the first quarter and the factors mentioned above, the forecasts for the underlying and headline consumer price inflation rates for 2026 are revised up to 2.5% and 2.6% respectively, from 1.7% and 1.8% as announced in the Budget (Table 2).

In the past two months, the Government has introduced short-term, targeted measures to provide timely relief to sectors with relatively high fuel cost. The Government remains vigilant to the risks of further escalation of the conflict, will closely monitor the developments, and will respond further as appropriate to safeguard price stability.

The First Quarter Economic Report 2026 is now available for online download, free of charge at www.hkeconomy.gov.hk/en/situation/index.htm. The Report of the Gross Domestic Product by Expenditure Component, which contains the GDP figures up to the first quarter of 2026, is also available for browse and download, free of charge on the homepage of the Census and Statistics Department, www.censtatd.gov.hk.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) published today (May 15) the May 2026 issue of the “Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics” (HKMDS).

Apart from providing up-to-date statistics, this issue also contains two feature articles entitled “Container Statistics, 2016 to 2025” and “External Debt Statistics of Hong Kong for 2021 to 2025”.

“Container Statistics, 2016 to 2025”

In 2025, Hong Kong’s port container throughput reached 12.99 million TEUs, maintaining its position as one of the busiest ports in the world. Laden container movements between Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland (the Mainland) accounted for 47.8% of the laden container throughput of the port of Hong Kong in 2025. Of these movements, about 66.9% were related to the Pearl River Delta region, reflecting the close economic ties between Hong Kong and the region.

This article provides a detailed analysis of the container statistics of the port of Hong Kong from 2016 to 2025.

For enquiries about this feature article, please contact the Electronic Trading Services and Cargo Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3863 2476; email: shipping@censtatd.gov.hk).

“External Debt Statistics of Hong Kong for 2021 to 2025”

External Debt (ED) statistics provide useful information for international financial surveillance. Reliable, comprehensive and timely ED statistics assist data users in monitoring the development of an economy’s external liabilities and hence its debt servicing obligations over time. They can also provide early warning signal of possible debt servicing problems. ED statistics are useful for the formulation and management of the economy’s micro- and macro-economic policies and strategies.

This feature article briefly describes the underlying concepts of ED statistics and presents salient features of Hong Kong’s ED statistics during 2021 to 2025.

For enquiries about this feature article, please contact the Balance of Payments Branch (1) of the C&SD (Tel: 3863 2348; email: bop@censtatd.gov.hk).

Published in bilingual form, the HKMDS is a compact volume of official statistics containing about 130 tables. It collects up-to-date statistical series on various aspects of the social and economic situation of Hong Kong. Topics include population; labour; external trade; National Income and Balance of Payments; prices; business performance; energy; housing and property; government accounts, finance and insurance; and transport, communications and tourism. For selected key statistical items, over 20 charts depicting the annual trend in the past decade and quarterly or monthly trend in the recent two years are also available. Users can download the Digest at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1010002&scode=460).

Enquiries about the contents of the Digest can be directed to the Statistical Information Dissemination Section (1) of the C&SD (Tel: 3863 2532; email: gen-enquiry@censtatd.gov.hk).

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA reiterates that cross-strait peace and stability are vital to global interests following Bloomberg article on Taiwan’s energy resilience

Date：2026-05-07
Data Source：Department of International Information Services

May 7, 2026  No. 039  US-based Bloomberg published a feature article on May 7 discussing the impact of the Hormuz crisis on Taiwan’s energy security and semiconductor industry, as well as on global supply chain resilience. The article cited comments regarding regional security risks made by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Chen Ming-chi in a related interview on April 2. It also pointed out that Taiwan played an essential role in global advanced semiconductor supply chains, adding that a stable energy supply and critical infrastructure resilience were vital to Taiwan’s economic security and were closely related to the technology industries and economic operations of the world.

The article stated that Taiwan’s energy relied heavily on imports and that a stable supply of liquefied natural gas and power grid resilience were key to the operations of Taiwan’s high-tech industries. It also noted that amid escalating regional security developments and growing gray-zone challenges, energy diversification, critical infrastructure protection, civil defense preparedness, and industrial contingency capabilities have become important elements in efforts to enhance Taiwan’s overall resilience.

The article quoted Deputy Minister Chen’s admonition that the international community should not ignore the dangers posed by any potential move by China against Taiwan. He also asserted that the burden of international security challenges should not be borne by a single country and that, even when facing a strong military power, countries or actors could still manage to survive and fight back.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs underscores that maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is not only central to Taiwan’s security but also directly impacts high-tech supply chains, energy security, and economic stability worldwide. Taiwan will continue to enhance self-defense capabilities, energy resilience, and protection of critical infrastructure and further deepen cooperation with like-minded countries so as to jointly safeguard peace, stability, and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific region.

Bloomberg is one of the world’s most influential financial media outlets and plays a significant role in reporting on international politics, financial markets, and industrial trends. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to false online claims regarding Taiwan’s aid to Eswatini and recruitment of migrant workers

Date：2026-05-07
Data Source：Department of West Asian and African Affairs

May 7, 2026  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) firmly refutes recent posts on internet forums that cited a report from the Times of Eswatini, which falsely claimed that Taiwan provided more than NT$24 billion in aid to Eswatini over three months and that it would recruit 1,000 migrant workers from Eswatini annually. This is a classic case of disinformation. The posts have no basis in fact and are not substantiated by any concrete evidence.

MOFA solemnly adds that such posts are deliberately created by individuals who aim to sow discord and spread discriminatory rhetoric, attempting to undermine Taiwan’s relations with its diplomatic allies and damage its international image. In response to the intentional dissemination of disinformation, MOFA will seek to hold those involved legally accountable and continue to collect evidence for use in investigation and prosecution by police authorities.

Taiwan-Eswatini cooperation projects are based on mutual trust and common interests. They are established through consultations between the two governments and tailored to Eswatini’s development needs. Taiwan’s cooperation projects with its diplomatic allies have consistently upheld the principles and spirit of capacity building and mutual assistance for mutual benefit, offering Eswatini access to Taiwan’s competitive industries and development experience and striving to improve the well-being of local people. Furthermore, all budget allocations are subject to strict oversight and review by the Legislative Yuan, with regular auditing mechanisms in place to ensure the efficiency and transparency of project implementation. MOFA urges the public not to believe unverified rumors.

Regarding Taiwan’s assistance with the industrial park project in Eswatini, the core objectives are to boost Eswatini’s economy and help Taiwan enterprises expand globally. Private sector investment is influenced by international trade and regional situations—making it highly variable—and actual implementation is subject to market conditions. The government merely plays a matchmaking and facilitation role. MOFA does not comment on unverified estimates of private investment.

MOFA emphasizes that migrant workers arriving in Taiwan from any country must meet the stringent medical and epidemic prevention standards of the competent authorities. Moreover, all labor cooperation between Taiwan and other countries prioritizes the protection of Taiwan’s national security and public health while also considering such factors as filling labor shortages in specific domestic industries and promoting bilateral professional and technical exchanges.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA strongly refutes false and malicious claims by China’s Foreign Ministry regarding Taiwan’s sovereignty and Paraguayan President Peña

Date：2026-05-15
Data Source：Department of West Asian and African Affairs

May 14, 2026  No. 207  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) condemns in the strongest possible terms and solemnly refutes the malicious statements made by China’s Foreign Ministry at a press conference on May 12. By falsely claiming that Taiwan was part of China and that Paraguayan President Santiago Peña was a pawn of “Taiwan independence separatist forces,” China’s Foreign Ministry attempted to undermine the close and long-standing diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Paraguay. 

The Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent country, and neither it nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other. These are internationally recognized facts and the objective status quo across the Taiwan Strait. China has no right to interfere in Taiwan’s diplomatic relations. MOFA once again extends its sincere appreciation to Paraguayan President Peña for his continued support of Taiwan-Paraguay diplomatic ties and for his staunch advocacy of Taiwan in the international arena.

Interactions between countries based on the principles of parity and mutual respect for sovereignty are the consensus and norm in the international community. Taiwan has the right to engage with all nations, and Paraguay’s sovereignty in making foreign policy decisions must be respected. China’s malicious remarks slandering Paraguayan President Peña only serve to make the world more aware of its efforts to undermine the international order through hegemonic behavior. MOFA calls on other nations to unite in denouncing China’s actions.

Taiwan and Paraguay have maintained solid and enduring diplomatic relations for 69 years. President Peña’s state visit to Taiwan this month yielded fruitful results, and several joint cooperation agreements were signed. Moving forward, MOFA will steadily promote a variety of Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project initiatives under the policy of integrated diplomacy, working with Paraguay for the development of both countries and the well-being of both peoples. Taiwan and Paraguay will continue to jointly counter authoritarian expansionism, safeguard democratic values, and uphold regional peace, stability, and prosperity. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to US Secretary of State Rubio’s interview on Trump-Xi summit

Date：2026-05-15
Data Source：Department of North American Affairs

May 15, 2026  

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) continues to pay close attention to interactions between the United States and China.
 
In an interview in Beijing on May 14 concerning the summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized once again that the United States’ long-standing policy on Taiwan had remained unchanged across multiple presidential terms and administrations. He stressed that President Trump’s administration had continued to make arms sales to Taiwan since taking power and that arms sales had not featured prominently in discussions during the meeting. Mr. Rubio further reiterated that the United States opposed any change to the status quo by compulsion or force and emphasized that any disruption of regional stability would be detrimental to the United States, China, and the entire world.
 
MOFA also notes that Mr. Rubio pointed out that China’s objective in significantly expanding its military strength was not only to target Taiwan but to project power globally. To this day, People’s Liberation Army aircraft and vessels continue to operate around the Taiwan Strait and engage in various gray-zone harassment and military threats, showing the major risk that Beijing currently poses to regional peace and stability.
 
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung thanks the United States for clarifying on numerous occasions that it supports and values Taiwan Strait peace and stability, and for reiterating once again that its policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will continue to strengthen its self-defense capabilities and staunchly cooperate with the United States and all other freedom-loving democracies to jointly defend peace, stability, and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and throughout the region. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

May 13, 2026  No. 206  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) once again condemns and protests in the strongest terms and expresses deep dissatisfaction over China’s bid to maliciously suppress Taiwan’s participation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. China is disregarding APEC norms and long-standing best practices and violating its own commitments of 2024, when it was seeking to be the host economy for 2026. Earlier, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office had stated that Taiwan’s participation in APEC would be handled according to the so-called “one China principle” and related APEC memorandums of understanding and practices. China’s actions have disrupted harmony within APEC and highlighted its domineering and authoritative nature.MOFA emphasizes that the text of the memorandum of understanding on Taiwan’s accession to APEC, signed in 1991, did not mention a “one China principle.” It did, however, state clearly that Taiwan would participate in APEC meetings and activities on an equal basis with other member economies. Regarding the MOU signed in relation to China’s accession to the organization, APEC merely took note of China’s so-called “one China principle” and its position that there is a distinction between sovereign states and regional economies. However, APEC did not express agreement with or acceptance of such a stance.At the joint request of Taiwan and like-minded countries, China provided explicit and written assurance in 2024 regarding the safety of participants from all member economies and their smooth entry into and exit from China for APEC meetings. All member economies, including China, supported the inclusion of the following text in joint ministerial statements issued following APEC Ministerial Meetings in 2024 and 2025: “We attach great importance to APEC’s continued cooperation in the spirit of multilateralism, on the basis of consensus with all members participating on an equal footing in all its events, including Leaders’ Week, in accordance with the Guidelines for Hosting APEC Meetings and Relevant APEC Conventions.” As the host economy for APEC 2026, China is obliged to fulfill its commitments and adhere to consensus decisions made by all member economies.MOFA reiterates that following World War II, the Treaty of San Francisco—which has the force of international law—replaced political declarations such as the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation. The treaty did not grant sovereignty over Taiwan to the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and the PRC has never governed Taiwan. Therefore, Taiwan is by no means part of the PRC.Moreover, in the mid-1980s, Taiwan began a bottom-up transition toward political liberalization and democratization, culminating in its first direct presidential election in 1996. Since then, the representatives of the executive and legislative branches of the Republic of China (Taiwan) government have all been democratically elected by the people of Taiwan, making the ROC (Taiwan) government the sole lawful government that effectively governs and represents Taiwan internationally. This has also established the objective fact that the ROC (Taiwan) and the PRC exist as equals and the status quo that neither is subordinate to the other. Further, Taiwan has experienced three changes of governing party—in 2000, 2008, and 2016. The continued consolidation of Taiwan’s democratic system and sense of identity reflects the Taiwan people’s staunch belief in and unwavering commitment to the pursuit of freedom and democracy. Therefore, only Taiwan’s democratically elected government can represent the 23 million people of Taiwan at multilateral events and mechanisms such as APEC. China has no right to interfere or comment.MOFA firmly demands that China carry out its duties as APEC host economy satisfactorily and comply with the core principle of equal participation of all member economies; fulfill its commitments properly in accordance with APEC guidelines, norms, and practices; and take concrete steps to ensure the equal involvement by Taiwan’s participants in this year’s APEC meetings and activities taking place in China. Taiwan will not accept any political maneuvering aimed at undermining or excluding its participation and will work with like-minded partners to oppose such moves. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA strongly refutes false claims regarding Taiwan in joint statement and partnership treaty between China and Tajikistan

Date：2026-05-13
Data Source：Department of West Asian and African Affairs

May 13, 2026  No. 204  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly refutes absurd claims made in a joint statement between China and Tajikistan on deepening their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in the new era and in a partnership treaty signed by the two countries on permanent good-neighborliness, friendship, and cooperation. The false and disparaging statements, such as “Taiwan is an inalienable part of China,” were included in a related press release issued by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 12. MOFA condemns China’s repeated appropriation of its interactions with other states to undermine Taiwan’s sovereign status.

The Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent country, and neither it nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other. This is an undeniable objective fact and the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. No statements that denigrate Taiwan’s sovereignty can change this reality. 

MOFA once again urges the international community to address China’s persistent use of various forms of coercion and enticement to undermine the sovereign decisions of other nations. China’s actions are not only designed to suppress Taiwan but also constitute a grave challenge to global democracy and the rule of law.

MOFA reiterates that Taiwan will continue to deepen cooperation with like-minded countries and defend the front line of democracy. No matter what forms of economic coercion or diplomatic intimidation it faces, Taiwan will remain firmly committed to integrating with the world and demonstrating national resilience. (E)