MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to Japanese statements on Chinese interference in President Lai’s planned visit to Eswatini

Date：2026-04-23
Data Source：TAIWAN-JAPAN RELATIONS ASSOCIATION

April 23, 2026  Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung affirms and welcomes the statements by Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara and members of the National Diet on Chinese interference in President Lai Ching-te’s planned visit to Eswatini, a diplomatic ally of Taiwan. 

Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara stated on April 23 in response to media questions that Japan would continue to monitor the situation regarding Taiwan. He also emphasized that ensuring flight safety was a major issue in the common interest of the international community and that relevant countries should maintain transparency in their operations. 
 
In addition, members of Japan’s National Diet from both the ruling and opposition parties immediately and publicly condemned China for engaging in unreasonable suppression and intimidation. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs solemnly reiterates that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign, independent, and democratic nation. Neither it nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other. No attempt to infringe upon Taiwan’s sovereign status can change this internationally recognized objective status quo or hinder Taiwan’s diplomatic interaction with other countries. China should immediately cease all actions and statements that undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the region. 

As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan has always upheld relevant international norms and will continue to deepen cooperation with its allies and friendly nations such as Japan so as to jointly counter the challenge posed by authoritarianism to regional security and peace.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA strongly refutes false claims regarding Taiwan in joint statement by China and Mozambique

Date：2026-04-22
Data Source：Department of West Asian and African Affairs

April 22, 2026  No.157  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly refutes the false claims regarding Taiwan made in a joint statement between China and Mozambique on constructing a China-Mozambique community with a shared future, which was issued by China’s Foreign Ministry on April 21. 

MOFA condemns China for once again taking advantage of an interaction with another country to try to undermine Taiwan’s sovereignty through absurd declarations, such as that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. 

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 of the Taiwan Strait. No statements that denigrate Taiwan’s sovereign status can change this reality.

MOFA once again strongly urges the international community to recognize China’s long-term use of economic coercion and incentives to influence other governments’ sovereign decisions. Beijing’s actions not only aim to suppress Taiwan but also constitute a grave challenge to democracy and the rule of law worldwide.

MOFA reiterates that Taiwan will continue to deepen cooperation with all like-minded countries and defend the front line of democracy. No type of economic coercion or diplomatic intimidation will prevent the Republic of China (Taiwan) from upholding its existing position, actively integrating with the world, and demonstrating national resilience. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA strongly condemns Chinese government’s absurd remarks with regard to suppression of Taiwan’s sovereign status and diplomatic activities

Date：2026-04-22
Data Source：Department of Policy Planning

April 22, 2026  
No. 156  
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly condemns and denounces China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Taiwan Affairs Office for separately issuing absurd remarks on April 22 denigrating Taiwan’s sovereign status in connection with the postponement of President Lai Ching-te’s visit to Eswatini, a diplomatic ally of Taiwan.
 
MOFA reiterates that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign, independent nation. Neither it nor the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is subordinate to the other. Taiwan has a legitimate right to engage in international affairs and contribute to the international community through associated activities. No nation has the right to obstruct or deny this, and no number of unilateral pronouncements can change the objective facts.
 
In the mid-1980s, Taiwan started a process of political liberalization and democratization, culminating in its first direct presidential election in 1996. Since then, representatives of the executive and legislative branches of the ROC (Taiwan) government have been elected by the people of Taiwan, making it the only legitimate authority to effectively govern and represent Taiwan externally. This also established the status quo of the ROC (Taiwan) and the PRC existing on an equal footing, with neither being subordinate to the other.
 
Beijing’s so-called “one China principle” is not, in fact, accepted by the world’s major nations. In reality, China’s deceitful assertion that its one-sided claim constitutes the consensus is an attempt to mislead international public opinion.
 
MOFA stresses that threats or coercion of any form will not alter Taiwan’s resolve to connect with the world, and that any malicious obstruction will not overturn Taiwan’s firm desire to engage internationally.
 
In the face of authoritarian China’s intimidation and contemptible behavior, which violates Taiwan’s sovereignty and undermines regional peace and stability and cross-strait relations, MOFA urges the international community to recognize the true nature of China’s hegemonic tactics and condemn them in unison. It also calls for continued support for democratic Taiwan’s international engagement so that Taiwan can contribute to the international community. (E) 

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

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

Date：2026-04-22
Data Source：Department of European Affairs

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

Date：2026-04-22
Data Source：Department of European Affairs

April 22, 2026  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) expresses sincere gratitude and affirmation to the European Union for its statement that decisions concerning overflights should not be taken to achieve political objectives. The statement came in response to China’s politically motivated interference in international civil aviation operations and legitimate diplomatic exchanges, which led to the postponement of President Lai Ching-te’s planned visit to diplomatic ally Eswatini.An EU spokesperson stated on April 21 in response to a media inquiry that the European Union attached great importance to the Chicago Convention, under which civilian aviation was to be safe, orderly, and predictable. The spokesperson also stressed that overflight rights were a cornerstone of international civil aviation, while predictability and neutrality in airspace management were critical to safety, commerce, and diplomacy. While states exercised sovereignty over their airspace, the spokesperson continued, related decisions should be taken in a transparent and predictable manner, with the primary consideration being aviation safety and operational stability, not political objectives.President Lai had intended for the trip to enhance bilateral relations and promote cooperation projects. However, China applied political pressure on third countries and interfered with their control over their own airspace. This amounts to not only undue influence on international civil aviation but also a disruption of both regional flight security and normal diplomatic exchanges. MOFA emphasizes that, as a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan has always adhered to related international norms. It strongly condemns China for its actions. Moving forward, Taiwan will continue to work with the European Union and like-minded partners to deepen cooperation and uphold the rules-based international order so as to ensure an environment conducive to secure, open, and predictable international aviation and diplomacy.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Leisure & Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today invited commercial entities or groups to submit expression of interest (EOIs) in introducing commercial business models to the operation of Ma Wan Tung Wan, Butterfly and Big Wave Bay beaches.

The 2025 Policy Address stated that the LCSD would explore the feasibility of engaging the market to operate beaches and select some public beaches as pilot sites, all with a view to exploring how commercial operations might enhance beach facilities, develop beaches as recreational, leisure and aquatic venues, and attract more people to visit them.

The LCSD is inviting the market to submit proposals for the introduction of market-based business models at the three beaches. The feedback and information gathered will assist the LCSD in formulating a way forward.

Interested parties should submit their EOIs by June 18. Email avu@lcsd.gov.hk with enquiries.

It was also announced in the 2025 Policy Address that the LCSD would explore the feasibility of engaging the market to develop Lei Yue Mun Park holiday camp as a recreational and leisure hotspot.

The LCSD is inviting interested commercial entities and non-profit organisations to submit EOIs in introducing market-based business models for the entire holiday camp.

Interested parties should submit their EOIs by June 10. Email lymp@lcsd.gov.hk with enquiries.

Source: Government of Singapore

24 April 2026 – Singapore and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have signed the fourth iteration of Singapore’s Country Programme Framework (CPF) for 2026–2031, building upon decades of technical cooperation since Singapore became an IAEA Member State in 1967. The agreement was signed by Mr Jaya Ratnam, Singapore’s Resident Representative to the IAEA, and Mr Hua Liu, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Technical Cooperation.

2            The CPF serves as the strategic reference for medium-term planning of technical cooperation between Singapore and the IAEA, identifying priority areas where nuclear technology transfer and resources will support national development goals.

3            The 2026–2031 framework identifies six priority areas: nuclear and radiation safety and nuclear security; environment; food safety; human health; energy; and industrial applications. It aims to enhance Singapore’s capabilities in assessing the suitability of new energy technologies, strengthen environmental radiation monitoring capacities, food radiochemistry and safety testing, and advance the quality and safety of nuclear imaging and cancer therapy. The framework augments Singapore’s efforts to build capabilities in nuclear safety as it assesses the potential deployment of nuclear energy and in light of the region’s growing interest in nuclear energy.

4            The CPF was developed by the National Environment Agency (NEA) in consultation with the IAEA and stakeholders across government agencies and relevant sectors. The framework builds upon achievements from previous technical cooperation programmes, ensuring Singapore remains well-positioned to leverage nuclear science and technology for national development whilst contributing to regional capacity building efforts. A CPF is the frame of reference for the medium-term planning of technical cooperation between a Member State and the IAEA and identifies priority areas where the transfer of nuclear technology and technical cooperation resources will be directed to support national development goals.

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Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government said today the Road Cargo System (ROCARS) for handling advance road cargo information will cease operating from May 1, with the first batch of Phase 3 services under the new Trade Single Window (TSW) launching on the same day.

User data from ROCARS will be automatically migrated to the TSW system. Users are not required to re-register and only need to log in with their existing accounts to use the new TSW services.

ROCARS will cease operating from midnight on May 1, while the TSW system is expected to launch in the early morning of the same day. During the system “cutover” period, cargo clearance services at land boundary control points will remain as normal.

Customs urged operators to plan ahead with regard to the submission of advance road cargo information and the completion of relevant bundling arrangements, so as to ensure smooth cross-boundary transportation flows during the cutover period.

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