MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

ROC (Taiwan) government congratulates Saint Lucia on successful completion of general elections

Date：2025-12-02
Data Source：Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs

December 2, 2025  
No. 510  
 
Saint Lucia, a diplomatic ally of the ROC (Taiwan), successfully held general elections on December 1. The ruling Saint Lucia Labour Party emerged victorious and its leader, Philip J. Pierre, will return as prime minister and form a new government. ROC (Taiwan) Ambassador to Saint Lucia Nicole Ying-chun Su has conveyed sincere congratulations on behalf of the government and people of Taiwan to Prime Minister Pierre and the newly elected members of parliament.
 
The open, transparent, and peaceful electoral process fully demonstrated the firm commitment of the government and people of Saint Lucia to upholding democratic values.
 
Since restoring diplomatic ties in 2007, Taiwan and Saint Lucia have enjoyed a close and cordial relationship with frequent high-level reciprocal visits. The government of Saint Lucia firmly supports Taiwan’s international participation. Close cooperation between the two countries has yielded fruitful results in areas such as agriculture, tourism, the economy, trade, medicine, health, and the economic empowerment of women and youths. Moving forward, Taiwan will continue to build on the foundations of friendship between the two sides to further deepen collaboration with Prime Minister Pierre’s new administration and advance the welfare of the people of both nations. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to Netherlands House of Representatives passing motion to support Taiwan’s meaningful international participation

Date：2025-09-21
Data Source：Department of European Affairs

September 21, 2025 
No. 356 

The Netherlands House of Representatives on September 18 passed a motion calling on the Netherlands government to back Taiwan’s meaningful participation during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and at meetings held by other international organizations. Approved by an overwhelming majority of 147 to 3, the motion was introduced by Jan Paternotte, who serves as spokesperson for foreign affairs of the Democrats 66 party and cochair of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) for the Netherlands, as well as by several other members of the house from a variety of parties.
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) sincerely welcomes and appreciates Dutch parliamentarians once again demonstrating strong support for Taiwan just as the UNGA convenes.
 
The motion states that UNGA Resolution 2758 of 1971 addresses the representation of China in the UN but that it neither stipulates that the People’s Republic of China enjoys sovereignty over Taiwan nor makes any statement about Taiwan’s participation in the UN or other international organizations. It goes on to assert that the Netherlands has an interest in Taiwan’s representation at the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Civil Aviation Organization, the UN Climate Change Conference, and the International Criminal Police Organization and calls on the Netherlands government to actively cooperate with other countries and submit proposals advocating for Taiwan’s meaningful participation at the UNGA and the annual meetings of UN organizations.
 
The motion is yet another concrete display of support for Taiwan’s international participation and follows four other motions passed by the House of Representatives in April urging the Dutch government to oppose China’s escalation of tensions, strengthen trade relations with Taiwan, send a high-level official delegation to Taiwan, and support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in WHO. Building on the friendly ties between Taiwan and the Netherlands, MOFA will continue to promote cooperation between the two countries in such key areas as semiconductor supply chain resilience, security and information security, and next-generation communications. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

To deepen Taiwan-Philippines industrial exchanges and strengthen bilateral supply chain cooperation, the Industrial Development Administration (IDA) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), in collaboration with the Chinese National Federation of Industries (CNFI), co-hosted the 9th Taiwan-Philippines Industrial Collaboration Summit with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) in Manila on October 1, 2025.

During the events, the Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association (TEEMA) and the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation, Inc. (SEIPI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote green manufacturing and sustainable supply chain collaboration. The MoU aims to enhance cooperation through technology exchange, reciprocal visits, exhibition partnerships, talent cultivation and industrial linkages, thereby strengthening bilateral relations and boosting the international competitiveness and sustainability of both industries.

The forum gathered over 250 industry experts and representatives for in-depth discussions and exchanges. Distinguished guests delivering remarks included Director-General Chiou Chyou-Huey of IDA, Undersecretary Allan B. Gepty of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry, Chairperson and Officer in charge Corazon A. Padiernos of Manila Economic and Cultural Office, Representative Wallace Chow of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines, Convener Yang Ke-Cheng of the Philippines Affairs Committee, Chinese National Federation of Industries (CNFI), and Consul Enunina Mangio, President of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), delivered remarks during the meeting. Deputy Minister Cynthia Kiang of the MOEA also delivered virtual remarks.
In addition to the TEEMA-SEIPI MoU on supply chain collaboration, two other Memorandums of Understanding were signed during the forum:

1.Flutai Co., Ltd. and Proud Ocean Corporation will integrate cold chain logistics with aquaculture operations to enhance the storage and circulation quality of seafood products across the supply chain.

2.The Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER) and Ateneo de Manila University’s Center for Economic Research and Development will jointly promote research collaboration and policy dialogue to deepen future Taiwan-Philippines cooperation and strengthen academic and think tank exchanges.

These MoUs mark a significant milestone in advancing Taiwan-Philippines cooperation in green manufacturing, cold chain technology, and academic collaboration.

The summit, themed “AI-Driven Innovation and Industrial Transformation,” featured keynote presentations from industry experts, including Dr. Chaucer Chiu, Consultant of the AI Innovation & Application Alliance (AIIA); Mr. Andrew Lin, CEO of the Taiwan Cold Chain Association; Dr. Wu Yu-Ying from CIER; and Mr. Jerry Wang, Director of Government and Enterprise Application Department, IISI. The discussions focused on digital transformation, industrial upgrading, and the application of AI technologies in sectors such as electronics, logistics, and manufacturing.

Moreover, TEEMA and SEIPI jointly organized their first-ever industry networking and business matching session, bringing 20 leading Taiwanese and Philippine enterprises together for one-on-one business meetings in the fields of electronic components, system integration, and AIoT applications. The event successfully laid the groundwork for long-term partnerships and sustainable industrial collaboration between the two countries.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

President Lai confers decoration on former Czech Parliament Chamber of Deputies Speaker Markéta Pekarová Adamová
On the afternoon of January 20, President Lai Ching-te conferred the Order of Brilliant Star with Special Grand Cordon upon Markéta Pekarová Adamová, former speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, in recognition of her long-term, outstanding contributions to deepening the friendship between Taiwan and the Czech Republic. In remarks, President Lai indicated that in recent years, cooperation between Taiwan and the Czech Republic in trade, investment, technology, and aviation has continued to deepen, demonstrating that the Taiwan-Czech partnership is not only built on shared values, but also has substantial and long-term economic potential. The president expressed hope that both sides will create more opportunities for cooperation and write new chapters in the deep friendship between Taiwan and the Czech Republic as it continues to grow.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
Firstly, on behalf of the people of Taiwan, I would like to extend a warm welcome to our dear friend former Speaker Adamová on her return to Taiwan. It was also a great honor for me just now to confer the Order of Brilliant Star with Special Grand Cordon upon her on behalf of our government to thank her for her outstanding contributions to deepening the friendship between Taiwan and the Czech Republic over the years.
I remember the determination then-Speaker Adamová showed three years ago when she led a delegation of more than 160 people to Taiwan, despite facing great external pressure. The visit marked a new milestone in bilateral relations. Speaking during the trip, she emphasized that Taiwan and the Czech Republic were in the same boat. Today, her words still resonate throughout Taiwanese society.
In 2023, then-Speaker Adamová and I visited the Net Zero City Expo together. On that occasion, I cited her remarks, saying that Taiwan and the Czech Republic stand together now and will continue to stand together in any circumstance. Our meeting today at the Presidential Office serves as further proof that the friendship between Taiwan and the Czech Republic has endured over time and distance, growing ever stronger and deeper.
Former Speaker Adamová has long spoken up courageously on the international stage for peace in the Taiwan Strait and for Indo-Pacific security. Within the Czech parliament, she actively championed resolutions in support of Taiwan and our participation in international organizations. She also personally facilitated an exhibition by the National Palace Museum in the Czech Republic. These actions were all concrete demonstrations of solidarity with Taiwan, which our people will always cherish.
In recent years, cooperation between Taiwan and the Czech Republic in trade, investment, and technology has continued to deepen. We have signed numerous MOUs that are steadily yielding positive results. An increasing number of Taiwanese enterprises are expanding their investments in the Czech Republic, and collaboration in aviation and industry continues to strengthen. These achievements demonstrate that the Taiwan-Czech partnership is not only built on shared values, but also has substantial and long-term economic potential. Looking ahead, Taiwan will continue to work with the Czech Republic to create more opportunities for cooperation and write new chapters in our deep friendship as it continues to grow.
I would also like to touch upon former Speaker Adamová’s book, Nejsem z cukru ani ze železa (Made of Neither Sugar nor Iron), published last October. In it, she notes that exchanges between democracies and Taiwan are not designed to provoke China, but rather to fulfill a commitment to democracy and freedom. I am deeply touched by her conviction that democratic countries will not let Taiwan stand alone.
Although she is taking a step back from politics for now, I am confident that former Speaker Adamová will continue to be a key driving force behind Taiwan-Czech cooperation. I want to emphasize once again that Taiwan stands with the Czech Republic and all our democratic partners both now and in the future, and will continue to do so in any circumstance. In closing, I again welcome former Speaker Adamová to Taiwan and wish her a pleasant and productive stay.
Former Speaker Adamová then delivered remarks, saying that it is a great honor for her to receive the Order of Brilliant Star with Special Grand Cordon from President Lai, and that she accepts it with deep gratitude and great respect for Taiwan and its people.
Former Speaker Adamová stated that she comes from Czechia, a nation that knows from its own history how precious freedom is, and how important it is to defend democracy, human rights, and the right of every country to choose its own future. She said that this is why Taiwan holds a very special place in the hearts of the Czech people, who recognize in Taiwan a partner who shares their values, courage, and belief in an open and peaceful world.
The former speaker went on to say that Taiwan is an extraordinary country that is strong, innovative, and resilient, but also open, kind, and deeply human. She said that everywhere she goes in Taiwan, she feels the warmth, dignity, and determination of the Taiwanese people. Taiwan’s society, she said, proves that democracy can flourish even in challenging times, and that freedom is strongest when it is supported by responsibility and mutual respect. She then expressed her sincere support for Taiwan and its peaceful future, and stated that Taiwan deserves to live in security, dignity, and prosperity, free to shape its own destiny and contribute fully to the global community.
Former Speaker Adamová stated that the decoration she received is not only a great personal honor for her, but also a symbol of friendship between Taiwan and Czechia, and a commitment to continue building bridges between our countries, our cultures, and our people. To close, she thanked President Lai once again for the extraordinary honor, and expressed hope that Taiwan will continue to thrive in peace, freedom, and confidence.
Also in attendance at the ceremony were Representative of the Czech Economic and Cultural Office David Steinke and Head of the Taiwan Office of the European Values Center for Security Policy Marcin Mateusz Jerzewski.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Financial Secretary Paul Chan fulfilled various engagements on day two of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland yesterday, as he promoted Hong Kong’s advantages and opportunities.

In the morning, Mr Chan attended a Special Address delivered by State Council Vice Premier He Lifeng.

Mr Chan also attended a breakfast meeting hosted by digital asset company Animoca Brands, where he engaged in discussions with leaders from the financial and innovation sectors on how blockchain applications, including tokenised assets and genomic data analytics, are driving transformation and development in capital markets.

The finance chief said that, as an international financial centre, Hong Kong has adopted a proactive yet prudent approach to the development of digital assets and follows the principle of “same activity, same risk, same regulation” to promote responsible and sustainable market development.

Explaining that a licensing regime for stablecoins is expected to be launched later this year, he highlighted the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s leadership role in promoting tokenisation, including the issuance of three batches of tokenised green bonds amounting to around US$2.1 billion. In addition, he said, regulatory sandboxes have been introduced to encourage the development of innovative applications.

Later in the day, Mr Chan met a number of officials from different economies and regional organisations to exchange views on the global political and economic landscape, ways of strengthening collaboration on trade, finance, industrial development and digital transformation, and other issues of mutual concern.

These officials included Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Egypt’s Minister of Investment & Foreign Trade Hassan El Khatib; and Switzerland’s State Secretary for International Finance at the Federal Department of Finance Daniela Stoffel.

In addition, Mr Chan met World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to exchange views on the current and future international trade landscape.

His engagements for the day also included a meeting with Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of technology investment firm Vista Equity Partners Robert Smith.

At the meeting, Mr Chan learnt about developments in the firm’s software and data businesses, and encouraged Mr Smith to consider expanding the company’s presence in Hong Kong.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (January 20) reminded all female Hong Kong residents born between 2004 and 2008 who have not completed their human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination to promptly receive free HPV vaccination at designated venues. Besides, women aged 25 to 64 who have had sexual experience should undergo regular cervical screenings. Through “early prevention, early detection and early treatment”, they can reduce their risk of developing cervical cancer, which is one of the 10 most common cancers and a leading cause of cancer deaths among women in Hong Kong.
 
HPV vaccination
———————-

     “HPV vaccination is among the most effective measures for cervical cancer prevention, especially for females who have never been exposed to HPV infection, i.e. before their first sexual encounter. Since the 2019/20 school year, the DH has been providing free HPV vaccinations to eligible Primary schoolgirls under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme, and a high vaccination rate of over 90 per cent has been maintained in recent years. This significantly lowers the risk of cervical cancer in Hong Kong females,” the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui said.
      
     The DH launched a one-off HPV Vaccination Catch-up Programme (Catch-up Programme) in December 2024, offering free catch-up vaccinations to female Hong Kong residents born between 2004 and 2008 who have not completed their HPV vaccination. Under the Catch-up Programme, each eligible person can receive two doses of free vaccination, while immunocompromised persons have to receive three doses of vaccination (all three doses are free of charge).
      
     “The Catch-up Programme is implemented in three phases. With the support of secondary schools and post-secondary institutions, the estimated first-dose HPV vaccine coverage rates of eligible secondary schoolgirls and post-secondary institutions female students in the first two phases were 85 per cent and 68 per cent respectively (Note: These figures combine doses administered under the Catch-up Programme and self-arranged vaccinations). The final phrase of the Catch-up Programme has commenced in June last year, targeting female Hong Kong residents born between 2004 and 2008 who have completed their studies in Hong Kong. The estimated coverage is about 55 per cent within half a year. Overall, approximately 50 000 doses of vaccine have been administrated so far under the Catch-up Programme. Although the estimated overall coverage across all three phases has exceeded 60 per cent at present, I do not want ‘anyone to be left behind’. The CHP has issued a letter to post-secondary institutions again to urge them to assist in encouraging eligible students to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Through the Primary Healthcare Commission (PHCC), the CHP has also urged family doctors to assist in encouraging eligible working female to receive HPV vaccination,” Dr Tsui said.
      
     Female Hong Kong residents born between 2004 and 2008 who have not completed their HPV vaccination only need to register with eHealth, and can schedule an appointment through the website or by calling 2855 1333 to receive a free HPV vaccination at Women Wellness Satellites (WWSs) or designated District Health Centres (DHCs)/DHC Expresses (DHCEs) under the PHCC of the Health Bureau. Females enrolled in local secondary schools or post-secondary institutions can contact their student affairs offices for details.
      
     “The one-off Catch-up Programme lasting approximately for two years offers free HPV vaccination. Details can be found on the DH’s website. Eligible female Hong Kong residents who do not participate in the Catch-up Programme will need to pay for vaccinations out-of-pocket in future. The cost of vaccination may exceed $1,200 per dose,” Dr Tsui remarked.
 
Cervical screening
———————–
 
     “Beyond vaccination, regular screening serves as another line of defence. Most cervical cancers are caused by persistent infection with high-risk HPV and infection with HPV or early stages of cervical cancer may not have any noticeable symptoms. In 2023, 576 new cases of cervical cancer were diagnosed, accounting for 3.0 per cent of all new cancer cases in females. Cervical cancer was the seventh most common cancer among females in Hong Kong. In 2024, a total of 160 women died from cervical cancer, accounting for 2.5 per cent of female cancer deaths. Over the past decade, the age-standardised mortality rate for cervical cancer has remained largely stable after adjusting for population age structure, reflecting the achievements of screening and treatment advancements. However, the age-standardised incidence rate of cervical cancer has shown a slight upward trend in recent years, indicating that the threat of cervical cancer to women’s health should not be underestimated. Therefore, I urge women aged 25 to 64 who have had sexual experience to undergo regular cervical screening in order to promptly detect and treat early cervical pre-cancerous changes, thereby preventing cervical cancer and improving cure rates,” Dr Tsui said.
      
     The DH has implemented the Cervical Screening Programme since 2004. Cervical screening services are available at Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) of the DH, WWSs, as well as through non-governmental organisations and private healthcare providers. Common screening methods include HPV testing and/or a cytology examination (also called a cervical smear or pap smear) performed by healthcare professionals. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also recommended vaginal self-sampling for HPV testing as another reliable method for cervical screening. The latest Health Behaviour Survey of the DH revealed that about 50 per cent of eligible women had ever had cervical screening. The DH has been working closely with healthcare professionals to enhance the promotion of cervical screening through general education and clinical consultation, and to understand the barriers of the public to accept the screening. To echo WHO’s advice, starting in 2024, the DH initiated HPV testing of self-collected samples at 11 MCHCs to study the feasibility and acceptability of vaginal HPV self-sampling locally. Moreover, HPV testing of self-collected samples is planned to be rolled out in WWSs in the first quarter of 2026. Details will be announced later on the WWS’s website.
      
     It is important to note that there is currently insufficient scientific evidence in Hong Kong or internationally to support the use of self-collected menstrual blood or urine samples for cervical screenings. The DH will continue to review the latest scientific evidence.
      
     Women who wish to receive a cervical screening at MCHCs can schedule an appointment through the 24-hour hotline at 3166 6631, or contact WWSs via its website or 18 DHCs/DHCEs (website) for personalised primary healthcare services for women including cervical cancer screening. For further information on cervical cancer and screenings, please visit the DH’s website.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region