MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The Double Tenth Committee for Sydney’s 115th National Day Celebration held its first planning meeting, bringing together community leaders, Overseas Community Affairs honorary personnel, and representatives of Taiwanese community organisations to discuss this year’s National Day celebration plans.
Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu thanked the Taiwanese community for its longstanding support and dedication to the National Day celebrations. He noted that Taiwan’s growing national strength has given overseas Taiwanese greater confidence and pride, and reaffirmed TECO Sydney’s full support for the Committee in delivering a successful series of celebrations.
Under the theme “Radiant Taiwan Sydney 2026” and the vision “A Bridge of Light to the World – From Temple Light to the Global Stage,” participants discussed plans for the National Day Reception, cultural performances, and community engagement activities. The celebrations aim to showcase Taiwan’s democracy, cultural diversity, technological innovation, and resilience, while strengthening Australia–Taiwan friendship and helping more Australians gain a deeper understanding of Taiwan.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to Japan-Philippines maritime boundary delimitation talks

June 3, 2026  

In response to the recent announcement by Japan and the Philippines that they would launch formal negotiations to delimit maritime boundaries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has instructed Taiwan’s representative offices in Japan and the Philippines to respectively verify details with both governments. Taiwan seeks confirmation that the future negotiation process and outcomes of relevant agreements between the two countries will not affect the sovereign rights afforded to Taiwan in accordance with international law and the law of the sea. Taiwan also seeks assurances that such negotiations will not affect the implementation of existing mechanisms, including the Taiwan-Japan Fisheries Agreement and the Agreement Concerning the Facilitation of Cooperation on Law Enforcement in Fisheries Matters concluded by Taiwan and the Philippines.
 
Taiwan firmly reiterates to both Japan and the Philippines that the Republic of China (Taiwan) enjoys indisputable sovereignty over its territory and related waters and that its sovereign rights under international law and the law of the sea cannot be questioned. Given the high degree of overlap between the area to be negotiated by Japan and the Philippines and Taiwan’s exclusive economic zone off its east coast, Taiwan again calls on both nations to take this fact into account, fully consider Taiwan’s rights and interests, and consult with Taiwan on relevant issues.
 
Regarding the false claims on this matter made by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on June 2 concerning Taiwan’s sovereignty, MOFA reaffirms that neither the ROC (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other. China has no right to comment on Taiwan’s policies or position regarding the Japan-Philippines exclusive economic zone delimitation negotiations, much less speak on behalf of Taiwan. 
 
MOFA emphasizes that Taiwan has always steadfastly safeguarded its national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. MOFA condemns China’s malicious manipulation of the so-called “one China principle” in this matter to mislead the international community and create the false impression that China has sovereignty over Taiwan and jurisdiction over Taiwan’s relevant waters. Further, Taiwan will not tolerate China’s attempts to undermine regional peace and stability under the pretext of “maritime law enforcement” and through military power projection.
 
MOFA will continue to closely monitor relevant developments and maintain communication with Japan and the Philippines to ensure that Taiwan’s maritime rights and interests and those of its fishers are fully protected.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

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

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: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to IPAC statement on Chinese interference in President Lai’s planned visit to Eswatini

April 22, 2026  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes the statement from the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) released on April 21 condemning China’s coordinated coercion of other nations to block President Lai Ching-te’s flight path on a planned visit to Eswatini. IPAC’s announcement pointed out that China’s actions had exposed its relentless drive to isolate Taiwan, which had extended to an attempt to control the skies. The statement underlined that President Lai was a democratic leader who, like other heads of state, had the right to engage with partners without interference. It added that China had no right to determine the foreign policy of other countries. MOFA thanks IPAC and other like-minded partners for taking concrete action in support of Taiwan. It further calls on democratic countries to jointly denounce China for using political pressure to disrupt international civil aviation and interfere in the legitimate diplomatic activities of other states.

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

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

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

April 24, 2026  
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) sincerely thanks the US administration and Congress for their statements expressing concern over recent interference in President Lai Ching-te’s planned visit to Eswatini and urging China to stop suppressing Taiwan. These timely statements conveyed clear support of Taiwan and condemned China for pressuring African countries to disrupt overseas visits of high-level Taiwan officials.
 
A spokesperson of the US Department of State responded promptly to the situation, stating that related African countries had acted at the behest of China by interfering in the safety and dignity of routine travel by Taiwan officials. The spokesperson stressed that these countries’ responsibility in managing international airspace within their respective flight information regions that extended beyond their sovereign airspace was solely to ensure aviation safety and should not serve as a political tool for Beijing. 
 
The State Department pointed out that this was yet another case of Beijing waging its intimidation campaign against Taiwan and its supporters around the world, abusing the international civil aviation system, and threatening international peace and prosperity. It urged Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure against Taiwan and instead engage in meaningful dialogue. Raymond Greene, Director of the American Institute in Taiwan, echoed the State Department’s position.
 
Furthermore, leaders of key committees in both the Senate and the House of Representatives from across the political aisle actively spoke up for Taiwan. For instance, Jim Risch (R-ID), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, stated that the United States should not allow China to normalize such behavior. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on the Budget, emphasized that supporting Taiwan’s democracy required firm opposition to Beijing’s coercion and bullying. Brian Mast (R-FL), Chairperson of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, condemned China’s bullying of Taiwan, a close US partner, and said that the United States would stand with Taiwan to counter such blatant threats. 
 
Several other members of Congress also publicly expressed concern. Among them were chairpersons of three subcommittees of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee: Ted Cruz (R-TX) (Africa and Global Health Policy); Pete Ricketts (R-NE) (East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy); and John Curtis (R-UT) (Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women’s Issues). 
 
Rick Scott (R-FL), Chairperson of the Subcommittee on Seapower of the Senate Armed Services Committee; Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL), Cochair of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus; and John Moolenaar (R-MI), Chairperson of the House Select Committee on China also made public comments concerning the issue.
 
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung welcomes these statements and thanks the United States and like-minded partners for standing up for Taiwan. He reiterates that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent country and has the right to conduct normal diplomatic exchanges with diplomatic allies and other international partners.
 
Furthermore, MOFA strongly condemns China’s politically motivated interference in international civil aviation operations and in Taiwan’s legitimate diplomatic interactions with other countries. Taiwan will continue to maintain close coordination with the US administration, Congress, and like-minded partners so as to jointly safeguard international civil aviation safety and protect peace, stability, and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region.