2856222026/08/10The Ministry of Foreign Affairs arranged for selected attendees of the Aug. 4 Ketagalan Forum to visit Acer Inc. and Creative Expo Taiwan 2026 following the conclusion of the event.

Participants included Ed Fast, Canada’s former minister for international trade; Jedidiah Royal, one-time principal deputy assistant secretary of war for Indo-Pacific security affairs in the U.S. Department of Defense; and Tomasz Jamróz, first counsellor of the strategy department at Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The group visited the headquarters of Acer Inc. in New Taipei City Aug. 5, where they were received by COO Jerry Kao, the MOFA said. They learned about the company’s artificial intelligence, digital transition and smart medicine projects, as well as how its medical technology is leveraged to assist allies and like-minded countries through the ministry’s policy of integrated diplomacy.

The contingent attended the launch of the Creative Expo Taiwan 2026’s creative brands showcase the next day at Taipei City’s Nangang Exhibition Center and was given a guided tour that highlighted the innovative power of Taiwan’s younger generations.

The ministry said that Taiwan will continue to deepen international exchange through creative soft power and high-tech prowess. (POC-E)

Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw]]>2856132026/08/10President Lai Ching-te received a joint delegation from the Tokyo-based Japan Forum for Strategic Studies and Taipei-based Formosa Republican Association Aug. 7 in Taipei City.
 
According to the Presidential Office, the group included Itsunori Onodera, member of the Japanese House of Representatives, and four other members of the Diet, as well as FRA Honorary Chair Tommy Lin.
 
On behalf of the government and people of Taiwan, Lai expressed condolences to those affected by the earthquake in Kumamoto prefecture late last month. Taiwan and Japan always care for, support and help each other in time of disaster, he added, calling it a demonstration of the deep bond between the two countries.
 
The president thanked the JFSS and FRA for jointly organizing inaugural political-economic policy simulation exercises exploring trilateral cooperation among Taiwan, Japan and the U.S. He called the simulations and associated discussion critical in the context of global authoritarian expansionism.
 
The government is firmly committed to self-defense, Lai added, citing Taiwan’s 2026 defense budget that exceeded 3 percent of its gross domestic product for the first time, and the annual Han Kuang military exercise underway until Aug. 14 throughout Taiwan as examples.
 
Lai concluded by saying he hoped to see further expansion of cooperation with Japan in trade and economic security, high-tech industries and social resilience enhancement to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific.
 
In response, Onodera said many countries are trying to use force to change the status quo, as demonstrated by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, conflicts in the Middle East and China’s frequent military activities. He called for Japan, Taiwan and the U.S. to work closely together and prepare for all contingencies to ensure peace in East Asia, adding that the policy simulation is a tool to bolster deterrence, thereby safeguarding regional peace. (SFC-E)
 
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw]]>2856122026/08/10Pacific media outlets have recently published reports on Taiwan’s deepening industrial, healthcare and sustainable development cooperation with regional partners and praised Taiwan’s strengths in semiconductors, medical care and technological innovation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Aug. 8.
 
According to the MOFA, a Palauan outlet reported Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung’s remarks that Taiwan will participate alongside Australia, Japan and the U.S. in a special exhibition held during the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting set to take place Aug. 30-Sept. 4 in Palau. The countries will present successful collaborative projects with Palau in areas spanning green energy, smart governance, marine cooperation and sustainable development, underscoring their joint achievements in advancing sustainable development and resilience in the Pacific.
 
The report also quoted Deputy Foreign Minister François Chih-chung Wu’s remarks that Taiwan will continue to work with the U.S., Japan and Pacific allies to safeguard cross-strait and regional peace and stability while enhancing the international community’s understanding of security across the Taiwan Strait and in the Pacific through exchanges with international media.
 
An article published in an outlet from Papua New Guinea called Taiwan a key leader in the global semiconductor industry on the strength of its comprehensive and innovative technology ecosystem and urged Papua New Guinea to strengthen cooperation with Taiwan in technology and related industries. The article also praised the quality of Taiwan’s medical care, adding that Taiwan is an ideal destination for overseas patient referrals.
 
A delegation of Pacific media outlet representatives visited Taiwan June 28-July 4, the MOFA said, noting that the members met with Lin and attended a banquet jointly hosted by Wu and Vice Foreign Minister Ger Bau-shuan during their stay. They also visited government agencies, think tanks, businesses, scientific research institutions and media outlets to gain a deeper understanding of Taiwan’s semiconductor sector, domestically produced ships, smart medical care, public media, energy transformation, regional security and international cooperation, the ministry added. (YCH-E)
 
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 ]]>2855972026/08/07The Executive Yuan Aug. 6 approved draft amendments to the Disaster Prevention and Protection Act, highlighting the government’s commitment to building a disaster management system centered on professional expertise, dedicated personnel and specialized disaster prevention.
 
According to the Ministry of the Interior, the draft amendments add tsunamis and landslide dam breaches as statutory natural disasters, with the MOI and the Ministry of Agriculture as their respective central authorities. A designated lead agency will take responsibility from the EY’s Central Disaster Prevention and Protection Council and Office of Disaster Management to coordinate major disaster response operations, the ministry said.
 
Government agencies are required to appoint a disaster prevention official to promote and supervise disaster preparedness within agencies, the MOI said, adding that all levels of government and public utilities should also employ full-time disaster prevention and relief personnel.
 
Townships, towns, county-administered cities, municipal districts and Indigenous mountain districts are all required to establish disaster prevention coordination centers, and the centers’ staff may ask substitute military service personnel for assistance with evacuation, operating shelters and distribution of relief supplies.
 
The act has undergone 11 amendments since its promulgation July 19, 2000, the MOI said. It still requires further amendment to deal with challenges caused by extreme climate events and complex disasters like Typhoons Danas and the Mataian River barrier lake overflow in Hualien County last year, the ministry noted, adding that such amendments will strengthen disaster response capabilities and the resilience of local governments and offices.
 
After being approved by the EY, the draft amendments will be submitted to the Legislative Yuan for review, the MOI added. (YCH-E)
 
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 ]]>2855962026/08/07Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung received a delegation from the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China Aug. 4 in Taipei City.
 
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the group included Gen Nakatani, co-chair of the organization and a former defense minister for Japan, founder and executive director Luke de Pulford, and Shiori Yamao, IPAC’s Japan director.
 
Lin welcomed the group, whose itinerary included the 2026 Ketagalan Forum, and thanked IPAC for reiterating its opposition to China’s ethnic unity law during the opening ceremony. The minister said that Beijing continues to use laws as a political instrument to create a chilling effect and force other countries to remain silent on the subject of its expansionism.
 
The speed with which IPAC moved to rally cross-border parliamentary support for publicly denouncing the Chinese law is sincerely appreciated, Lin said. He added that the government will continue to work with IPAC and other like-minded partners to ensure global security and resilience and stand up against China’s transnational repression.
 
In response, Nakatani said he paid great attention to security in the Indo-Pacific and first island chain during his term as Japan’s defense minister. He also worked to expand cooperation with Indo-Pacific partners including Taiwan, Australia, the Philippines  and India to counter the threat of China’s expansionism.
 
Nakatani said the new law pressures dissenters and threatens international peace, and pledged IPAC’s commitment to upholding freedom, democracy and human rights in collaboration with Taiwan.
 
IPAC also supports Taiwan’s participation in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, as Taiwan’s presence is critical to facilitate free trade and supply chain resilience, he added. (SFC-E)
 
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw]]>2855812026/08/06Daniel Kuo-ching Chen of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received a delegation of legislators from four U.S. states Aug. 4 in Taipei City.
 
The group was led by Geraldo Reyes Jr., deputy speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives, and comprised high-ranking members of the legislatures of Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, the ministry said.
 
Secretary General Chen remarked that Taiwan’s key position in the global high-tech supply chain has led to bilateral collaboration on economic, education, trade, and talent exchange projects. He added that U.S. state governments have set up offices in Taiwan to jointly create prosperity, and welcomed other state governments to consider doing the same.
 
In response, Reyes said that the four states’ legislative agencies have all demonstrated cross-party support for Taiwan. He hoped that the visit would give the delegates valuable insight into Taiwan’s educational systems, public health practices and technological prowess, facilitating substantive mutual exchange and laying a solid foundation for further partnerships, the MOFA added.
 
The MOFA said 22 U.S. states and territories have established offices in Taiwan, and pledged to work with these offices to further deepen ties. (POC-E)
 
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 ]]>2855802026/08/06The 2026 Ketagalan Forum was held Aug. 4 in Taipei City, drawing international participants to discuss how to tackle global challenges through democratic resilience, Indo-Pacific security cooperation and non-red supply chains.
 
Jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Taiwan Institute of Economic Research, the 10th edition of the annual event involved political figures, lawmakers and experts from around the world.
 
According to the MOFA, President Lai Ching-te said during his remarks that Taiwan will safeguard the values of freedom and democracy, maintain regional peace and stability and promote global prosperity. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting integrated and value-added diplomacy to build a strong defense against China’s aggression.
 
The president also received a statement from the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China that called on democratic countries to jointly respond to China’s Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress and the challenges brought by Beijing’s transnational repression, the ministry added.
 
During her remarks at the luncheon, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim also called for democratic unity in the face of authoritarian expansionism, the MOFA said.
 
Among the keynote speakers, Eswatini Prime Minister Russell Dlamini underscored the long-standing relations with Taiwan; U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul stressed the importance of the Taiwan Relations Act; former Canadian Deputy PM Chrystia Freeland voiced objection to China’s ethnic unity and progress promotion law; and former Finnish PM Sanna Marin paid tribute to the Taiwanese people’s commitment to defending shared values.
 
According to the MOFA, the forum also featured three panel discussions with several key former and current political figures from Canada, Japan, Poland, Slovakia and the U.S. (SFC-E)

Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw]]>2855722026/08/06President Lai Ching-te said Aug. 5 that Taiwan is committed to strengthening cooperation with the U.S. in areas spanning artificial intelligence and non-red drone supply chains, digital infrastructure and high-tech personnel cultivation to jointly contribute to global peace and stability.
 
Lai made the remarks when receiving a delegation from the Washington D.C. think tank Brookings Institution, at the Presidential Office in Taipei City. The group is led by Ryan Hass, director of the John L. Thornton China Center.
 
This year marks the 250th anniversary of U.S. founding and the 30th anniversary of Taiwan’s first direct presidential election, Lai said. The sixth Taiwan-US Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue held earlier this year, the signing of the Joint Statement on the Pax Silica Declaration and the U.S.-Taiwan Economic Security Cooperation have all laid a solid foundation for bilateral collaboration in semiconductors and high-tech sectors, he stated.
 
According to the president, the government envisions Taiwan as an AI hub and thus supports development of silicon photonics, quantum technology and robotics. It also aims to establish Taiwan as an Asian center for global drone development, he said, by investing in industrial development projects and proposing the special defense budget to procure unmanned vehicles and build a drone offense and defense system.
 
Taiwan stands at the forefront of defense of democracy and is determined to safeguard its national sovereignty and democratic way of life, Lai said. The country will continue to advance self-defense capabilities to maintain cross-strait and regional peace and stability, he added, citing the annual Han Kuang military exercises taking place Aug. 5-14 and the Urban Resilience Exercise to be held Aug. 7-13.
 
Lai concluded by saying that Taiwan will continue to deepen partnerships with the U.S. in the face of challenges such as emerging AI, authoritarian expansion and reconstruction of global supply chains.
 
In response, Hass said the delegation’s many visits demonstrate the institution’s long-held emphasis on Taiwan-U.S. relations. Hass added that through this year’s visit which is focused on technology and national security, he hopes to further strengthen two-way ties and consolidate the peace and stability that the two sides both cherish. (YCH-E)
 
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 ]]>2855572026/08/05Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung received Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party Youth Division overseas training delegation Aug. 3 in Taipei City to exchange views on Taiwan-Japan relations, Indo-Pacific issues and bilateral cooperation.
 
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the group is led by Youth Division Director Shojiro Hiranuma and comprises nine other members of the House of Representatives.
 
Warmly welcoming the group, Lin said Taiwan and Japan share universal values of freedom, democracy and respect for the rule of law. He also offered sympathy to the government and people of Japan for their losses from the magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck Kumamoto prefecture July 28.
 
The minister added that in the face of challenges such as earthquakes and pandemics, Taiwan and Japan have always supported and cared for each other, demonstrating their deep bond in time of need.
 
Lin also hoped to see expanded cooperation in semiconductors, robotics, biotechnology and silicon photons in line with Japanese government growth strategy to strengthen industrial resilience and economic security.
 
Hiranuma thanked President Lai Ching-te, the government and people of Taiwan for their sympathy and donations following the earthquake.
 
As the two sides share strongly complementary strengths in areas such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, drone development and disaster prevention, the Diet member anticipated enhanced partnership in these sectors. Due to the current Middle East geopolitical situation, energy security is another area for potential cooperation, Hiranuma added. (SFC-E)
 
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw]]>2855562026/08/05President Lai Ching-te said Aug. 4 that Taiwan is committed to expanding cooperation with Eswatini to produce additional mutually beneficial outcomes and further strengthen bilateral ties.
 
Lai made the remarks while receiving Russell Dlamini, the African ally’s prime minister, at the Presidential Office in Taipei City. He also thanked King Mswati III and Queen Mother Ntfombi Tfwala for their assistance during his visit to Eswatini in May.
 
Taiwan and Eswatini enjoy a long-standing cooperation that spans energy, public health, talent cultivation and industry development projects, Lai said, citing construction of a strategic oil reserve facility, the Taiwan Industrial Innovation Park and the Royal Science and Technology Park as examples of the partners in action.
 
The president further thanked Eswatini for supporting Taiwan’s international participation, noting that King Mswati III called on the international community to correctly understand U.N. General Assembly Resolution 2758 at last year’s General Assembly, while Dlamini spoke in support of the country’s engagement in global climate governance at the World Leaders Climate Action Summit held ahead of the 2025 U.N. Climate Change Conference.
 
Lai concluded by pledging Taiwan’s commitment to a continued deepening of exchanges with Eswatini to achieve its development goals in industry, public health and digital transformation as part of the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project.
 
In response, Dlamini expressed appreciation for Taiwan’s assistance in agriculture, education, energy and medical care through scholarships, technical cooperation and capacity-building programs. The two countries share a vision to elevate their ties into a modern strategic partnership characterized by political resilience, economic transformation and technological innovation, he said.
 
The prime minister added that he hopes the allies will continue deepen collaboration in such fields as agriculture, digital transformation, eduction, innovation, investment, medical care, renewable energy, trade and youth empowerment. Based on shared values of democracy, peace, mutual respect and sustainable development, the two countries’ relationship will continue to flourish for generations to come, he said. (YCH-E)
 
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 ]]>2855442026/08/04The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Emeritus Michael McCaul, who is visiting Taiwan through Aug. 7.
 
During McCaul’s stay, which is his third visit to Taiwan, he will meet President Lai Ching-te and other officials and attend a reception hosted by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung. Discussions will center on the cross-strait status quo, regional security and Taiwan-U.S. relations, the ministry said. McCaul will give a keynote speech at the Ketagalan Forum: 2026 Indo-Pacific Security Dialogue.
 
McCaul first visited Taiwan in April 2023 as House Foreign Affairs Committee chair; in May 2024, he led a cross-party House member delegation to the presidential and vice presidential inauguration.  
 
As a member of the House’s Congressional Taiwan Caucus, McCaul is committed to deepen the Taiwan-U.S. partnership. He has advocated for the U.S. government to condemn the PRC Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress in a joint letter.
 
Recent visits by bi-partisan U.S. Senators and House members highlights firm support for Taiwan. The MOFA is committed to work further with the U.S. Congress to strengthen bilateral partnerships and advance peace, stability and prosperity in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific. (POC-E)
 
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 ]]>2855422026/08/04The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Keisuke Suzuki, member of the Japanese House of Representatives, arrived in Taipei City Aug. 3 to speak at the Ketagalan Forum.
 
According to the MOFA, the former justice minister will take part in the Aug. 4 forum’s afternoon panel discussion: “Countering Gray-Zone Coercion and Constructing a New Framework for Indo-Pacific Regional Joint Defense.”
 
During his three-day stay, Suzuki will also meet with President Lai Ching-te and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, and exchange views on a wide range of issues with other key political figures, the ministry added.
 
Suzuki is well versed in Japan’s diplomatic and regional security policies, and pays close attention to peace and security of the Taiwan Strait, the MOFA said, adding that he has visited Taiwan many times and is a strong proponent of bilateral relations.
 
The ministry cited a rules revision that allowed Taiwanese expatriates living in Japan to list their home country as Taiwan on official family registry paperwork starting May 2025 as further evidence of Suzuki’s support for Taiwan, since he was justice minister at the time.
 
The MOFA said Taiwan and Japan share core values of freedom, democracy, and respect for human rights and the rule of law. As key partners in the first island chain, both countries also face security challenges in the Indo-Pacific, as well as a complex global political landscape.
 
Suzuki’s visit will help forge even closer and more resilient bilateral relations and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the region, the MOFA said. (SFC-E)
 
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw]]>2855362026/08/04The Ketagalan Forum: 2026 Indo-Pacific Security Dialogue is taking place Aug. 4 in Taipei City, underscoring government commitment to enhancing international dialogue and exchanges.
 
Organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Taipei-based Taiwan Institute of Economic Research, the one-day event features keynote speeches from Russell Dlamini, prime minister of Eswatini; Michael McCaul, chair emeritus of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Foreign Affairs Committee; Sanna Marin, former prime minister of Finland; and Chrystia Freeland, former deputy prime minister of Canada.
 
Twelve academics, experts, lawmakers and political figures from nine countries including Argentina, Germany and Japan will discuss a wide range of issues, the MOFA said. Among the topics to be covered are global democratic resilience practices, ways to counter gray-zone coercion and construct a new framework for joint Indo-Pacific defense, and value-added diplomacy and reconfiguring non-red supply chains, it added.
 
According to the MOFA, participants are expected to express concern over China’s Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress during the event. They will call on the international community to condemn Beijing’s unlawful expansion of extraterritorial jurisdiction and acts of transnational repression, as well as urge like-minded partners to unite in countering the law and advancing global defense resilience, it said.
 
The forum will be broadcast live via its YouTube channel, the MOFA added. (YCH-E)
 
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 ]]>2855292026/08/03The Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched a fundraising campaign to assist Japan with recovery from the magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Kumamoto prefecture July 28.
 
The government has committed NT$5 million (US$155,000) in aid, and President Lai Ching-te, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim and Premier Cho Jung-tai have said they will each personally donate NT$200,000.
 
The Taipei City-based International Cooperation and Development Fund has also opened a special account that will accept donations from private citizens and civic organizations until the end of the month, the MOFA said.
 
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said that Taiwan always stands with Japan in times of need and urged all segments of society to convey Taiwan’s warmth through concrete actions that contribute to helping Kumamoto rebuild quickly. (POC-E)
 
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 ]]>2855262026/08/03Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung welcomed Hirofumi Takinami, a member of Japan’s House of Councillors, July 31 in Taipei City to exchange views on a wide range of issues.
 
According to Lin, Taiwan and Japan share the universal values of freedom, democracy, and respect for human rights and the rule of law. They also enjoy close cooperation in trade and economy, science and technology, culture, tourism, and community exchanges.
 
The two sides continue to deepen mutual trust and partnership through legislative diplomacy, the minister said, adding that the government will keep working with Japan and other like-minded countries to ensure peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.
 
Takinami sincerely thanked the government and people of Taiwan for their warm concern and timely support in the wake of the magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck the Kumamoto prefecture July 28.
 
In the face of disasters, Taiwan and Japan always support each other like family, he said, adding that such cooperation underscores the robust friendship between the two sides.
 
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Takinami is an important friend of Taiwan who has been dedicated to enhancing bilateral exchanges for years. He is a director of the Committee on Land and Transport and has previously served as the parliamentary vice-minister for economy, trade and industry. (SFC-E)
 
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