Foreign Minister 結果共81筆

The U.S. Congressional Taiwan Caucus co-chairs, Republican Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart and Democratic Representative Ami Bera, are visiting Taiwan from Jan. 24 to Jan. 26, 2024. This marks their first visit to Taiwan in recent years, symbolizing their bipartisan commitment to Taiwan’s democracy. Their visit comes after Taiwan’s presidential election, celebrating the victory of Taiwan’s democracy. Diaz-Balart and Bera will meet with President Tsai Ing-wen, Vice President and President-elect Lai Ching-te, and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu. Talks are scheduled with Vice President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim and other Taiwanese political leaders. Both Diaz-Balart and Bera have been long-standing friends of Taiwan, often leading or proposing initiatives and bills supportive of Taiwan. The Congressional Taiwan Caucus is the largest secondary body in U.S. Congress relating to foreign affairs. Their visit reemphasizes the U.S. Congress’ support for Taiwan, following the 2024 presidential election and marking the 45th legislative anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to deepen Taiwan-U.S. relations based on shared values and the U.S. Congress’s support.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China objected to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s congratulatory message to President-elect Lai Ching-te, citing a violation of the ＂One China＂ principle and the diplomatic tie agreement between China and the Philippines. China’s Foreign Affairs office expressed strong dissatisfaction with Marcos Jr.’s remarks and lodged a vehement protest. An assistant minister of the Agricultural Finance Ministry summoned the Philippine ambassador to China over the matter. China urged the Philippines to refrain from making erroneous statements and actions regarding Taiwan and to respect the ＂One China＂ principle in order to maintain robust and stable China-Philippine relations.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) announced that the prime minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, has reaffirmed the strong bond between Taiwan and his country. Gonsalves congratulated Taiwan on its successful general election and expressed his support for the president-elect, Lai Ching-te. Gonsalves intended to lead a delegation to Taiwan for the president’s inauguration ceremony. Taiwan’s Foreign Minister, Joseph Wu, expressed gratitude for Gonsalves’ well-wishes and extended a warm welcome for the upcoming inauguration celebrations. Gonsalves criticized Nauru for severing diplomatic ties with Taiwan and emphasized his country’s commitment to maintaining a faithful friendship with Taiwan. He pledged to strengthen the existing foundation of the cooperative relationship between Taiwan and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Wu expressed gratitude for Gonsalves’ sincere bond and expressed the government’s eagerness to enhance cooperation for the well-being of the people of both countries.

Taiwan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang confirms a major diplomatic setback as Nauru severs ties, reducing Taiwan’s global allies to 12. The unexpected move, termed an ’ambush’, marks a significant shift in the South Pacific’s geopolitical landscape and raises questions about future collaborations.

Taiwan’s diplomatic ties with Nauru, its South Pacific ally, have been severed, reducing Taiwan’s diplomatic partners to 12. Taiwan and Nauru first established diplomatic relationships on May 4, 1980, with a brief interruption from 2002 to 2005 when Nauru switched allegiance to Beijing. Efforts by the then-Taiwanese Foreign Minister Mark Chen and Nauruan President Ludwig Scotty revived the ties. The current Nauruan president, David Adeang, received congratulations from the Taiwanese ambassador stationed in Nauru. Taiwan and Nauru have collaborated in various areas, including infrastructure construction, public health, clean energy, education, climate change, information technology, agriculture and fishing, and naval patrol. Taiwan’s remaining diplomatic allies include the Marshall Islands, Palau, Tuvalu, Eswatini, the Holy See, Belize, Guatemala, Haiti, Paraguay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent.

China’s military intimidation of Taiwan ahead of the presidential election has been warned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). A joint statement by the US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Daniel Kritenbrink, Japanese Deputy Minister and Director-General, Kobe Yasuhiro, and Republic of Korea Deputy Minister, Chung Byung-won, expressed support for Taiwan during a three-way dialogue in Washington. China’s recent military threats towards Taiwan, including deploying balloons across the Taiwan strait, violating airspace, and suspending parts of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA), have raised concerns among the international community. MOFA has raised suspicions of attempts to influence the election and emphasized Taiwan’s commitment to cooperation with the US, Japan, and South Korea to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Joseph Wu, emphasized in an exclusive interview with CNN that Taiwan is a democratic nation and that the majority of its people wish to maintain the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. Wu discussed various topics, including the significance of Taiwan’s presidential elections for its democratic growth, national defense, Indo-Pacific conditions, and Taiwan-India relations. He highlighted President Tsai Ing-wen’s commitment to upholding the political status quo, which has gained international recognition. Wu also emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, as Taiwan produces 90% of the world’s semiconductor chips. He addressed the military threats from mainland China, stating that Taiwan is striving to enhance its defense capacities to deter aggression. Additionally, Wu expressed hopes to strengthen the connection between Taiwan and India in integrating their semiconductor supply chains through talent cultivation.

Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Joseph Wu, has written a column for The Economist discussing Taiwan’s efforts to document and analyze potential Chinese interference in Taiwanese elections. The results of this research will be published after the election. Wu emphasizes the international impact of the Taiwanese election and the importance of addressing authoritarian interference in democratic nations and maintaining international order.

Taiwan’s Foreign Minister, Joseph Wu, has condemned China’s violation of the military status quo across the Taiwan Strait in an interview with Le Monde. He accuses China of attempting to obscure Taiwan’s sovereignty and initiating a ’choose between peace or war’ cognition war. Wu emphasizes that China’s interference efforts are increasingly difficult to discern and contradict Taiwan’s attempts to maintain the status quo. He reiterates President Tsai Ing-wen’s cautious and responsible stance ahead of the presidential election and commits to strengthening defense forces to show that invading Taiwan would not be easy for China. Wu also criticizes China’s hybrid warfare, alleging that it seeks to convince the public that the upcoming election is a choice between conflict and economic slowdown or peace and prosperity. Le Monde notes that Wu has been actively raising global awareness of the risks of conflict in the Taiwan Strait through visits to Eastern Europe and Scandinavia.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has stated that Taiwanese citizens are allowed to enter Cuba with a passport valid for more than six months and a Cuban Tourist Card, according to Central News Agency (CNA). However, MOFA has urged the public to suspend travel to Cuba or check the official Cuban government website or airlines before departure due to unclear information. This response comes after a Taiwanese-Canadian and his family were denied entry into Cuba because ＂China doesn’t recognize Taiwan as a country.＂ The family’s passports were confiscated, and they were sent back to Canada after ten hours at the airport. MOFA has instructed the Taiwanese representative office in Bogota, Colombia, to investigate the issue and protect the travel rights of Taiwanese citizens.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses gratitude to ministers from five diplomatic allies for advocating for Taiwan at COP28. Leaders from Paraguay, Palau, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Tuvalu, and Eswatini voiced support for Taiwan at the World Climate Summit, marking another step forward for Taiwan’s international backing. Haiti’s Minister of Environment acknowledged Taiwan’s dedication to addressing climate change, while the Marshall Islands’ Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade affirmed Taiwan’s deserving of observer status in such forums. Guatemala’s Minister of Environment and Natural Resources showcased Taiwan’s contributions to climate change efforts, and Nauru’s Deputy Minister of Climate Change & National Resilience appreciated Taiwan’s support for the Just Transition fund in the Pacific. Taiwan emphasizes its eagerness to work with allies and urges the global community to support its meaningful participation in the UNFCCC.

Taiwan is among the potential beneficiaries of Indonesia’s contemplation to offer visa-free entry for tourists from 20 major source countries, following the example set by Thailand. Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, disclosed in an interview that the government is discussing the launch of a visa exemption policy to attract more tourists and boost local economic development. Currently, travelers, including short-term tourists, need to secure a visa to visit Indonesia, including the option of Visa on Arrival (VOA) at designated entry points. Taiwanese passport holders can apply for VOA at 15 airports across Indonesia, such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan, and Bali, allowing them to stay up to 30 days with a one-time extension option. Given Taiwan’s place within the top 20 sources of foreign tourists to Indonesia, there is a significant chance that it will be included in the visa exemption program. This move could simplify travel for Taiwanese citizens and deepen tourism-based interactions between the two nations.

Taipei’s Education Minister, Pan Wen-chung, responded to concerns raised by the National Federation of Teachers Unions (NFTU) about the 2030 Bilingual Nation policy. Pan emphasized the importance of English proficiency as a crucial competitive skill for students. He emphasized the need for a balanced approach in teaching methods and strategies to ensure that students’ foundational academic abilities are not neglected. The NFTU expressed apprehension that excessive emphasis on English in the bilingual policy could undermine national competitiveness and called for a thorough reassessment of language policies post-election. Pan highlighted the importance of English and digital literacy as vital competencies for students and stressed the necessity of the bilingual policy for English language education. He mentioned that the implementation of the policy allows schools to join gradually and includes plans for teacher training enhancements and the inclusion of foreign instructors. Pan also mentioned that Mandarin courses would be available alongside university courses conducted entirely in English to give students the freedom of choice. He noted that some locales have been overly emphasizing English expertise during teacher recruitment and that the Ministry of Education will issue reminders for a more balanced evaluation. Rolling revisions will be made based on the progress of the bilingual initiative.

The Minister of the Interior in Taiwan warns of the prevalence of ＂cognitive warfare＂ tactics ahead of the upcoming election, describing the misleading information as a mixture of truth and falsehoods that are difficult to distinguish. He urges the public to exercise discernment and caution, emphasizing the importance of smooth elections. The warning follows reports that surveillance data from Taiwanese intelligence agencies is being sold on the dark web, potentially compromising the privacy of political figures and foreign personnel in Taiwan. The Minister assures that relevant departments are addressing the breach in surveillance data.

Minister of Justice Tsai Ching-hsiang has called for increased efforts from investigators, police, and intelligence agencies to combat bribery and prevent foreign interference in the 2024 elections. During a visit to the Keelung District Prosecutor’s Office, Tsai emphasized the importance of maintaining the fairness and integrity of the electoral process. He encouraged prosecutors to work together to create a judicial environment that inspires trust and visibility. Tsai highlighted the need to ＂block foreign powers from meddling in the election,＂ ＂eliminate the influence of gambling on electoral outcomes,＂ and ＂put an end to the disruption caused by fake news.＂ Active investigations are crucial to ensuring fair and just elections. Tsai also discussed the formalization of the system for assistants to prosecutors and money laundering involving cryptocurrencies with prosecutors.

Italy has confirmed its decision to withdraw from China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with formal notification given to Chinese authorities. This strategic move by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government will see Italy cease its participation in the BRI by the end of this year. Italy’s initial decision to join the initiative in 2019 made it the only major Western country to take part, drawing severe criticism from the U.S. and other nations. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated that the agreement ＂has not produced the expected results＂ and is no longer a ＂priority.＂ Despite the withdrawal, the Italian government still intends to strengthen bilateral relations with China.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Labor has denied rumors of plans to introduce 100,000 Indian workers by the end of the year. Labor Minister Hsu Ming-chun clarified that the consideration of India as a new source of migrant labor is aimed at addressing domestic industry shortages and reducing reliance on traditional labor markets. Hsu emphasized that this approach has gained consensus among various sectors of society. Discussions are ongoing for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with India, but no date has been determined yet. The number of workers to be recruited from India will be decided after evaluating the current condition and statistics of industries already permitted to employ foreign labor. The process will involve fixed quotas and a cautious, gradual opening. The primary aim of the plan is to diversify the countries from which Taiwan sources its labor force, with no specific issue concerning the number of workers from India. India would need to establish a talent database and provide language and skill training for potential migrant workers to meet the requirements. Taiwan is looking to expand its labor force to meet growing demand in key industries and maintain its competitive edge in the global market.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Labor has denied rumors of plans to introduce 100,000 Indian workers by the end of the year. Labor Minister Hsu Ming-chun clarified that the consideration of India as a new source of migrant labor is aimed at addressing domestic industry shortages and reducing reliance on traditional labor markets. Hsu emphasized that this approach has gained consensus among various sectors of society. Discussions are ongoing for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with India, but no date has been determined yet. The number of workers to be recruited from India will be decided after evaluating the current condition and statistics of industries already permitted to employ foreign labor. The process will involve fixed quotas and a cautious, gradual opening. The primary aim of the plan is to diversify the countries from which Taiwan sources its labor force, with no specific issue concerning the number of workers from India. India would need to establish a talent database and provide language and skill training for potential migrant workers to meet the requirements. Taiwan is looking to expand its labor force to meet growing demand in key industries and maintain its competitive edge in the global market.

Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Joseph Wu, warns of China’s increasing interference and cognitive warfare tactics as Taiwan’s elections approach. China is using a ＂hybrid warfare＂ strategy involving military actions, economic pressure, disinformation campaigns, and unlawful financial flows to influence the election results. Taiwan’s government is actively countering these tactics by strengthening communication with the public, enhancing media literacy, and collaborating with public and private sectors. Wu calls for a united front among international allies to enhance democratic resilience and increase awareness of China’s unfriendly actions. This reflects Taiwan’s efforts to preserve its sovereignty and democratic values amid rising tensions with China.

Minister of the Interior Lin Yu-chang visited the Taoyuan Police Department, urging officers to crack down on bribery and maintain order ahead of the 2024 elections. The Taiwanese government has actively promoted nationwide anti-fraud measures in preparation for the general elections. Minister Lin emphasized the potential for foreign forces to disrupt societal order through false information and called for increased vigilance in intelligence gathering by the police. He praised the Taoyuan Police Department for successfully preventing 1,176 fraud cases this year, ranking them first among the six special municipalities in Taiwan. With the elections approaching, Lin highlighted the police’s role in deterring election bribery, online gambling, and fake news. The central government is committed to reinforcing the national police force and enhancing police welfare, with the National Police Agency compiling the needs of various police stations to ensure they are adequately met.

President Tsai Ing-wen expresses gratitude to Taiwan’s APEC delegation led by Morris Chang for conveying her four critical messages to all APEC member participants. Tsai emphasizes the government’s commitment to adjusting Taiwan’s industrial structure and leveraging its advantages for regional development. She thanks Chang for attending the economic and trade cooperation forum, enabling Taiwan to play a vital role internationally. Tsai highlights Chang’s conversations with foreign dignitaries, including U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, which will strengthen future bilateral cooperation. Chang reports that this year’s APEC economic leaders’ meeting covered technology-related topics and expresses gratitude for the opportunity to represent Taiwan at the conference.

Taiwan’s Minister of National Defense, Chiu Kuo-cheng, stated that the Ministry will not interfere with general aviation enthusiasts taking photographs, but any behavior involving scaling walls to capture military installations will be considered reconnaissance activities. This announcement was made during a review of the draft ＂Military Base Security Maintenance Regulations＂ bill at the Legislative Yuan’s Foreign and National Defense Committee. According to the draft bill, unauthorized reconnaissance activities directed at military camp areas, such as measurement, filming, photography, depiction, or description, can result in fines ranging from NT＄30,000 to NT＄150,000 if they compromise national security. The committee discussed potential issues related to dash cameras unintentionally filming the area or residents of high-rise buildings next to a base. Deputy Chief of Combat Planning, Chen Wen-Hsing, clarified that the draft bill mainly targets harmful reconnaissance activities, while general photography activities remain unaffected. Minister Chiu emphasized that unauthorized photography in restricted areas is considered reconnaissance. Kuomintang legislator Chen I-hsin raised concerns about possible conflicts between existing ＂Vital Area Regulations＂ and the proposed new law, suggesting the incorporation of maintaining military base security into existing regulations as a specific chapter.

Lai Ching-te, the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) presidential candidate, has announced on Facebook that he has invited Hsiao Bi-khim to be his running mate in the 2024 Presidential Election. Lai believes that Hsiao, Taiwan’s representative to the U.S., is an excellent choice and has fostered extraordinary closeness in Taiwan-U.S. relations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) also praised Hsiao’s significant contributions to Taiwan-U.S. relations, and she is widely recognized as an exceptional diplomat. Hsiao, a former DPP legislator, has submitted her resignation, which is expected to take effect in a few days. Foreign Minister Joseph Wu has granted her leave during this period.

The Minister of Labor, Hsu Ming-chun, has denied rumors that Taiwan plans to import 100,000 Indian workers. The Ministry of Labor suspects that false information is being deliberately spread to cause panic, and has urged the public not to fall for such tactics. Taiwan is in the early stages of negotiating a Memorandum of Understanding for labor cooperation with India, which has led to speculation about a potential influx of Indian workers. Concerns have been raised on social media about India’s record of violence against women and the impact on social security in Taiwan. Hsu explained that Taiwan is exploring new foreign labor source countries due to labor shortages caused by changing demographics. Currently, Taiwan has agreements with only four countries, but India is considered a promising addition. Hsu emphasized that the MOU has not been signed yet and discussions on importing labor from India are ongoing. The Ministry of Labor will take precautions and improve communication to keep the public informed about the process.

Germany is looking to strengthen its ties with Taiwan in various sectors, including academics and trade, according to Petra Sigmund, the German Director General for Asia and Pacific. Despite not having diplomatic relations with Taiwan, Germany is committed to maintaining and expanding connections with the country. While Germany adheres to the ＂One China Policy,＂ it does not preclude official interactions with Taiwan, which can extend up to a ministerial level. Germany’s top representatives, such as the president, chancellor, and foreign minister, do not establish contact with Taiwan, but the country intends to utilize other open contact spaces. Sigmund emphasized that Germany will strive to preserve these spaces, even if it disturbs China, as Taiwan holds significant importance to Germany.