MOFA response to statement by Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi on deepening exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to statement by Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi on deepening exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan

February 11, 2026On February 10, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan held its first press conference since the recent House of Representatives election. During the briefing, Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi stated that Taiwan and Japan shared fundamental values and maintained close economic ties and people-to-people exchanges. He said that Taiwan was an extremely important partner and valued friend for Japan, adding that the government of Japan would maintain its existing position and further deepen bilateral cooperation and exchanges. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung appreciates and welcomes the remarks. Both following the inauguration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s cabinet last October and this election, Japan has promptly expressed its willingness to further strengthen cooperation and exchanges with Taiwan. The statements are concrete demonstrations of the profound friendship shared by the two countries and the Japanese administration’s consistent stance of attaching great importance to cordial Taiwan-Japan ties. Building on the existing solid foundation of bilateral relations and guided by the policy of integrated diplomacy, Taiwan will continue to work with Japan to deepen substantive cooperation in all spheres, further elevate ties to a mutually beneficial and comprehensive partnership, and jointly contribute to regional peace, stability, and prosperity.

MOFA response to sentencing of Jimmy Lai, founder of Hong Kong media outlet Next Digital

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to sentencing of Jimmy Lai, founder of Hong Kong media outlet Next Digital

February 10, 2026

Jimmy Lai, the founder of Hong Kong media outlet Next Digital, was sentenced to 20 years in prison on February 9 under Hong Kong’s National Security Law. In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) urges the international community to collectively and strongly condemn the Chinese government and the Hong Kong government for using national security as a pretext to once again suppress and undermine the freedom and human rights of the people of Hong Kong. 

This action by the Chinese and Hong Kong governments not only violates international human rights standards but also contravenes the spirit of international law, clearly denying individuals their rightful liberty and squashing the freedom of the press and freedom of speech. It also denies the people’s fundamental right to demand accountability of their leaders, demonstrates Beijing’s extreme disregard for freedom and human rights, and highlights its attempts to create a chilling effect. 

MOFA notes that the governments and all sectors of society of the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Australia, and other countries, as well as the United Nations, the European Union, and various international human rights organizations, have voiced grave concern over the case and have pointed out that China has withdrawn from its international commitments and eroded freedom and human rights. Moreover, they have called for the immediate humanitarian parole or unconditional release of Mr. Lai. 

MOFA urges the international community to continue paying close attention to developments in Hong Kong regarding democracy, freedom, and human rights and demanding that China promptly stop undermining freedom and human rights. Meanwhile, Taiwan will continue to work closely with its allies and partners to jointly uphold the line of defense for freedom and democracy.

MOFA response to sentencing of Jimmy Lai, founder of Hong Kong media outlet Next Digital

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to sentencing of Jimmy Lai, founder of Hong Kong media outlet Next Digital

February 10, 2026

Jimmy Lai, the founder of Hong Kong media outlet Next Digital, was sentenced to 20 years in prison on February 9 under Hong Kong’s National Security Law. In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) urges the international community to collectively and strongly condemn the Chinese government and the Hong Kong government for using national security as a pretext to once again suppress and undermine the freedom and human rights of the people of Hong Kong. 

This action by the Chinese and Hong Kong governments not only violates international human rights standards but also contravenes the spirit of international law, clearly denying individuals their rightful liberty and squashing the freedom of the press and freedom of speech. It also denies the people’s fundamental right to demand accountability of their leaders, demonstrates Beijing’s extreme disregard for freedom and human rights, and highlights its attempts to create a chilling effect. 

MOFA notes that the governments and all sectors of society of the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Australia, and other countries, as well as the United Nations, the European Union, and various international human rights organizations, have voiced grave concern over the case and have pointed out that China has withdrawn from its international commitments and eroded freedom and human rights. Moreover, they have called for the immediate humanitarian parole or unconditional release of Mr. Lai. 

MOFA urges the international community to continue paying close attention to developments in Hong Kong regarding democracy, freedom, and human rights and demanding that China promptly stop undermining freedom and human rights. Meanwhile, Taiwan will continue to work closely with its allies and partners to jointly uphold the line of defense for freedom and democracy.

MOFA solemnly refutes false claims regarding Taiwan in joint statement by China and Russia

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA solemnly refutes false claims regarding Taiwan in joint statement by China and Russia

Date:2026-05-21
Data Source:Department of West Asian and African Affairs

May 21, 2026    
No. 222  

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly refutes false claims made in a joint statement between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Russian Federation. The statement, signed on May 20, misleadingly refers to United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, with Russia reiterating its adherence to the so-called “one China principle.” These claims contradict the facts and seek to undermine Taiwan’s sovereignty.
 
MOFA also expresses great regret at the PRC government engaging in international collusion to further disseminate erroneous narratives that denigrate Taiwan’s sovereignty and escalate tensions across the Taiwan Strait, and at Russia’s subservience to authoritarian China.
 
MOFA reiterates that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent country and that neither the ROC (Taiwan) nor the PRC is subordinate to the other. All attempts to distort Taiwan’s sovereign status are acts of bullying that disrupt international peace and stability. No number of falsehoods can alter the internationally recognized status quo across the Taiwan Strait.
 
MOFA appreciates that diplomatic allies and friendly countries continue to express concern over Taiwan Strait issues at international events and demonstrate firm positions in support of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan will continue to enhance its self-defense capabilities, build whole-of-society defense resilience, and work closely with such nations to jointly ensure freedom, openness, peace, and prosperity for Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific region. (E)

MOFA solemnly refutes false claims regarding Taiwan in joint statement by China and Russia

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA solemnly refutes false claims regarding Taiwan in joint statement by China and Russia

Date:2026-05-21
Data Source:Department of West Asian and African Affairs

May 21, 2026    
No. 222  

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly refutes false claims made in a joint statement between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Russian Federation. The statement, signed on May 20, misleadingly refers to United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, with Russia reiterating its adherence to the so-called “one China principle.” These claims contradict the facts and seek to undermine Taiwan’s sovereignty.
 
MOFA also expresses great regret at the PRC government engaging in international collusion to further disseminate erroneous narratives that denigrate Taiwan’s sovereignty and escalate tensions across the Taiwan Strait, and at Russia’s subservience to authoritarian China.
 
MOFA reiterates that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent country and that neither the ROC (Taiwan) nor the PRC is subordinate to the other. All attempts to distort Taiwan’s sovereign status are acts of bullying that disrupt international peace and stability. No number of falsehoods can alter the internationally recognized status quo across the Taiwan Strait.
 
MOFA appreciates that diplomatic allies and friendly countries continue to express concern over Taiwan Strait issues at international events and demonstrate firm positions in support of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan will continue to enhance its self-defense capabilities, build whole-of-society defense resilience, and work closely with such nations to jointly ensure freedom, openness, peace, and prosperity for Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific region. (E)

MOFA condemns China’s efforts to distort UNGA Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1 with regard to Taiwan’s participation in WHA

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA condemns China’s efforts to distort UNGA Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1 with regard to Taiwan’s participation in WHA

Date:2026-05-19
Data Source:Department of International Organizations

May 19, 2026  
No. 219  

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly condemns and protests China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for issuing yet another false and misleading statement on May 18 regarding Taiwan’s engagement in the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA). China has continued to politicize Taiwan’s participation, exposing international public health cooperation and disease prevention systems to high risks.
 
In attempting to put politics above public health interests, China has repeatedly made the false claim that Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization (WHO) requires its approval. It is common knowledge that United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1 only address the issue of China’s representation and do not mention Taiwan. The resolutions neither authorize the People’s Republic of China to represent Taiwan in the UN system nor assert that Taiwan is part of the PRC. China has long tried to distort the texts to create a legal basis for its “one China principle,” conflating the resolutions with the issue of Taiwan’s sovereignty and restricting Taiwan’s space for international engagement. China’s wholesale deviation from the original texts and the principles of international law has elicited criticism and opposition from the United States, other like-minded countries, diplomatic allies, and the European Union.
 
As the primary international public health agency, WHO has a mission to promote the health and well-being of people everywhere. Consideration of Taiwan’s entry should be guided by global public health interests and professional requirements. Regrettably, WHO has refused to invite Taiwan to attend the WHA due to China’s political demands. China has long meddled in WHO’s handling of Taiwan’s equal engagement in technical meetings and mechanisms, even spreading disinformation that proper arrangements have already been made for Taiwan’s participation in technical meetings. These actions blatantly disregard the importance of international exchanges of public health information and transnational cooperation on disease prevention.
 
Taiwan’s bid to participate in the WHA is integral to the right to health of every human being and the integrity of the global public health system. Taiwan has considerable expertise and rich experience in such areas as communicable disease prevention and control, universal health insurance, digital health, and medical and health assistance. Over the years, Taiwan has achieved outstanding results in assisting allies and friendly countries to enhance medical resilience through transnational medical health cooperation, public health capacity building, and other approaches. China may succeed in preventing WHO from issuing an invitation to Taiwan, but it cannot stop Taiwan from contributing to global health and disease prevention and receiving widespread acclaim from the international community for its medical capabilities and democratic values.
 
In global health governance, no one should be left behind. MOFA will continue to deepen relations with diplomatic allies and like-minded countries through integrated diplomacy, public-private partnerships, and Taiwan’s technological strengths. To resolutely defend the legitimate right to international participation of the 23 million people of Taiwan, MOFA will actively promote global medical health cooperation and the model of healthcare-driven industrial growth. (E)

MOFA condemns China’s efforts to distort UNGA Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1 with regard to Taiwan’s participation in WHA

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA condemns China’s efforts to distort UNGA Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1 with regard to Taiwan’s participation in WHA

Date:2026-05-19
Data Source:Department of International Organizations

May 19, 2026  
No. 219  

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly condemns and protests China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for issuing yet another false and misleading statement on May 18 regarding Taiwan’s engagement in the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA). China has continued to politicize Taiwan’s participation, exposing international public health cooperation and disease prevention systems to high risks.
 
In attempting to put politics above public health interests, China has repeatedly made the false claim that Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization (WHO) requires its approval. It is common knowledge that United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1 only address the issue of China’s representation and do not mention Taiwan. The resolutions neither authorize the People’s Republic of China to represent Taiwan in the UN system nor assert that Taiwan is part of the PRC. China has long tried to distort the texts to create a legal basis for its “one China principle,” conflating the resolutions with the issue of Taiwan’s sovereignty and restricting Taiwan’s space for international engagement. China’s wholesale deviation from the original texts and the principles of international law has elicited criticism and opposition from the United States, other like-minded countries, diplomatic allies, and the European Union.
 
As the primary international public health agency, WHO has a mission to promote the health and well-being of people everywhere. Consideration of Taiwan’s entry should be guided by global public health interests and professional requirements. Regrettably, WHO has refused to invite Taiwan to attend the WHA due to China’s political demands. China has long meddled in WHO’s handling of Taiwan’s equal engagement in technical meetings and mechanisms, even spreading disinformation that proper arrangements have already been made for Taiwan’s participation in technical meetings. These actions blatantly disregard the importance of international exchanges of public health information and transnational cooperation on disease prevention.
 
Taiwan’s bid to participate in the WHA is integral to the right to health of every human being and the integrity of the global public health system. Taiwan has considerable expertise and rich experience in such areas as communicable disease prevention and control, universal health insurance, digital health, and medical and health assistance. Over the years, Taiwan has achieved outstanding results in assisting allies and friendly countries to enhance medical resilience through transnational medical health cooperation, public health capacity building, and other approaches. China may succeed in preventing WHO from issuing an invitation to Taiwan, but it cannot stop Taiwan from contributing to global health and disease prevention and receiving widespread acclaim from the international community for its medical capabilities and democratic values.
 
In global health governance, no one should be left behind. MOFA will continue to deepen relations with diplomatic allies and like-minded countries through integrated diplomacy, public-private partnerships, and Taiwan’s technological strengths. To resolutely defend the legitimate right to international participation of the 23 million people of Taiwan, MOFA will actively promote global medical health cooperation and the model of healthcare-driven industrial growth. (E)

Foreign Minister Lin becomes first foreign minister to visit Geneva during WHA, meets with diplomatic allies

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)

Foreign Minister Lin becomes first foreign minister to visit Geneva during WHA, meets with diplomatic allies

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)

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

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)