2846732026/06/17The visit by Lucy McBath, second vice chair of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Congressional Black Caucus, and caucus member Valerie Foushee is welcomed by the government and people of Taiwan, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs June 16.
 
During their June 16-20 stay, the U.S. representatives will meet with President Lai Ching-te and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, as well as attend a banquet to be hosted by Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung. They will exchange views on issues spanning Taiwan-U.S. security, the economy, trade and regional conditions, the MOFA said.
 
According to the MOFA, McBath and Foushee have shown interest in ongoing Taiwan-U.S. cooperation spanning artificial intelligence, semiconductors, high-tech talent cultivation and human rights. As this year marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. and the 30th anniversary of Taiwan’s first direct presidential election, while June 19 also marks Juneteenth, which commemorates the emancipation of African Americans, the ministry said the timing of the representatives’ visit underscores the two sides’ shared values of freedom and respect for human rights.
 
The MOFA said Lin welcomes more friends in Congress to expand exchanges with Taiwan. Taiwan and the U.S. are important security, economic and trade partners, and the two sides continue to deepen cooperation in fields such as technology and supply chain resilience, the ministry noted, adding that Taiwan will keep strengthening its self-defense capabilities and whole-of-society resilience, advancing partnership with the U.S. and working with like-minded partners to safeguard peace, stability and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and in the Indo-Pacific.
 
Founded in 1971, the caucus focuses on issues including civil and voting rights, economic development, social welfare and judicial reform for the Black community. (YCH-E)
 
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw]]>2846842026/06/17The Cabinet-level National Development Council staged an exchange forum on regional revitalization with Japan June 12 in Taipei City, underscoring bilateral commitment to deepening development cooperation, according to the council.
 
Prominent guests from Japan included Katsumi Nemoto, chair of JTB Taiwan, and Mitsuru Ookuma, founder of Ukiha no Takara in Fukuoka prefecture, who jointly explored trends and opportunities with local teams from Taiwan, the NDC said.
 
According to NDC Minister Yeh Chun-hsien, the forum centered on transnational cooperation, intergenerational integration and cocreation, and public-private partnerships.
 
In his remarks, Yeh noted that regional revitalization is a common strategy to address demographic changes, adding that since 2014 Japan has promoted related policies to respond to issues such as the rapid population decline, aging society and resource overconcentration in big cities like Tokyo. Taiwan faces similar challenges, and local revitalization can not only help address such concerns, but also boost national resilience and sustainable development for future generations, he said.

The minister took the opportunity to praise Taiwan and Japan’s close mutual exchanges in recent years, adding that a youth delegation is set to visit Hokkaido to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative development among teams on both sides.
 
In response, Nemoto said that in recent years JTB Taiwan has promoted international exchange and collaboration by encouraging Japanese schools, businesses and tourists to visit Taiwan and gain deeper insight into the country’s education environment, industries and culture. Ookuma shared how his company has helped citizens aged 75 and older participate in food preparation and sales, enabling them to generate income for themselves and their communities.
 
In addition to the Japanese speakers, representatives from six local revitalization teams showcased initiatives in street revitalization, in-depth tourism, care for Indigenous seniors and catering services for older adults using local ingredients, demonstrating Taiwan’s strengths in culture, tourism and long-term care, the council said.
 
The NDC vowed to continue coordinating cross-ministerial efforts to support regional revitalization by encouraging young people to return to their hometowns and contribute to local development and community resilience. (POC-E)
 
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 ]]>2846742026/06/17National Development Council Minister Yeh Chun-hsien said June 16 that Taiwan and the U.S. are important partners in economic security and non-red supply chain resilience, with the partnership continuing to expand in recent years.

The minister made the remarks at the release of the “2026 Taiwan White Paper” by the American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan June 16 in Taipei City.
 
Yeh said the Taiwan-U.S. reciprocal trade agreement concluded earlier this year established a cooperative mechanism for the two sides’ high-tech supply chains and paves the way for enhanced institutional partnership. He called on Washington to speed up legislation on a double taxation avoidance pact with Taiwan to promote mutual benefits.
 
In response to AmCham Taiwan’s suggestions on expanding the bilateral high-tech strategic partnership, Yeh said the government has implemented a raft of policy initiatives to develop artificial intelligence and other key technologies as it strives to build Taiwan into a provider of AI turnkey solutions.
 
In terms of enhancing Taiwan’s energy resilience, the minister said the government has reviewed available energy supply sources to ensure supply stability before 2032 while continuing to promote energy transition to ensure an autonomous, low-carbon and stable national energy supply system.
 
Regarding governance optimization and talent policies, Yeh said the government remains committed to improving the local business environment by promoting regulation transparency and implementing measures to recruit and retain more foreign professionals.
 
The minister said the government attaches great importance to policy suggestions proposed by AmCham Taiwan and will continue to work with the chamber to deepen partnership with the U.S. (SFC-E)
 
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw]]>2846432026/06/16President Lai Ching-te delivered opening remarks at the 2026 Rotary International Convention June 14 in Taipei City and said Taiwan will continue working with RI to foster a more connected world through goodwill and to shape the future through action.
 
According to the Presidential Office, Lai welcomed Rotarians from more than 140 countries to Taiwan to attend one of the most important global nongovernmental organization events. The convention affirms that the international community sees Taiwan as an enduring force for good in humanitarian care, public welfare and world peace, he said.
 
The president said this year’s convention theme of “Planting Peace, Growing Hope” captures the spirit of Taiwan’s Rotarians. For many years, the 36,000-plus local members have partnered with global counterparts and brought changes and hope to communities across seven focus areas, including peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and disease prevention and treatment.
 
Lai cited more than four decades of effort to cut the number of polio cases worldwide by 99.9 percent as an example of the organization’s ethos. He added that with support from local RI clubs, Taiwan eliminated hepatitis C last year, five years ahead of the World Health Organization’s goal, marking another public health milestone after the country’s successful disease prevention model enabled other countries to combat the COVID-19 outbreak.
 
As a key pillar of global supply chain security, Taiwan will continue to fulfill its responsibilities while maintaining the cross-strait status quo, the president said. With its technological strengths, Taiwan will also expand cooperation with democratic partners to boost economic and supply chain resilience, uphold regional peace and stability, and promote global prosperity and development, he added. (SFC-E)
 
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw]]>2846532026/06/16The Enhancing Economic Investment in Palau workshop was held June 11 in the Pacific ally under the Global Cooperation and Training Framework, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
 
Organized by Taiwan in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Palau and Palau’s Ministry of State and Ministry of Justice, the event brought together academics, experts, officials and business representatives from like-minded countries. The participants discussed ways to promote sustainable foreign investment and strengthen economic resilience while enhancing transparent governance and the security of key industries.
 
Ambassador to Palau Andy Kang-i Chen said during his opening remarks that under the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project, Taiwan is committed to helping Palau establish power infrastructure, adopt green energy and promote ecological tourism. It will also help transform the ally into a sustainable smart island and deepen bilateral judicial cooperation, he added.
 
Landisang Kotaro, chief of staff at the Palau’s Presidential Office, emphasized that transparent governance and trustworthy partnerships are key to attracting high-quality investment, advancing sustainable development and maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific.
 
Other highlights include keynote speeches delivered by Palauan Minister of Justice Jennifer Olegeriil; Raymond August, executive director of Pala’s Foreign Investment Board; and Cleo Paskal, nonresident senior fellow at Washington, D.C.-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies, on economic investment and national security, foreign investment regulations, and geopolitical issues, respectively. The event also included seminars and roundtable panels to address how to strengthen institutional capabilities, build an investment risk assessment mechanism, and bolster public-private and international collaboration.
 
Since its launch in 2015 by Taiwan and the U.S., the GCTF has become a vital platform for like-minded countries to share expertise and facilitate capacity building. The current workshop demonstrated Taiwan’s commitment to working with fellow democracies to maintain security, prosperity, and a free and open Pacific, the MOFA said. (YCH-E)
 
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 ]]>2846552026/06/16A Taiwan-France collaboration, “BRUT,” was staged at the KoresponDance festival of contemporary dance, physical theater and contemporary circus, held June 5-11 in the Czech city of Jihlava, according to the Ministry of Culture.
 
Coordinated by the Cultural Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Prague, the performance marked the first time Taiwanese artists participated in the festival, representing a new milestone in artistic exchange between Taiwan and Czechia, the ministry said.
 
Directed by French artist Clément Dazin and premiered in 2025 by National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying) in Kaohsiung City, “BRUT” combines dance and slow circus to explore themes of labor, power, domination and obedience, the MOC said. Participating Taiwanese artists included Chen Pin-ni, Kuo Chien-hung, Tsao You-lian, Wang Chu-hua and Wang I-hua, all known for interdisciplinary creative work.
 
The ministry added that it has continued supporting Taiwanese performing groups’ participation in major European arts festivals and professional platforms through exchanges and performances, gradually raising the profile of Taiwan’s performing arts in Central and Eastern Europe. Invited by the MOC, Marie Kinsky, director of KoresponDance, visited Taiwan in 2025, helping facilitate Taiwanese artists’ participation in the 2026 festival.
 
Organized by SE.S.TA Centre for Choreographic Development, KoresponDance is a major site-specific contemporary dance festival in Czechia. (POC-E)
 
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 ]]>2846182026/06/15Vice Foreign Minister Ger Bau-shuan took part in the Philippines’ 128th Independence Day Reception organized by the Manila Economic and Cultural Office June 12 in Taipei City, where he pledged to continue advancing two-way ties.
 
Ger first expressed congratulations to the Philippine government and people on behalf of Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung. Taiwan and the Philippines share Austronesian culture and have a close relationship, he said, adding that the Philippines has become the largest Southeast Asian source of tourists to Taiwan since the two sides established mutual visa-free entry.
 
Taiwan is one of the Philippines’ top 10 trading partners, and over 170,000 Filipino citizens are currently working in Taiwan, Ger said. He added that Taiwan is committed to participating in the U.S.-Philippine supply chain cooperation under the Pax Silica Declaration and will gradually implement the Taiwan-Philippines Economic Corridor project under the government’s integrated diplomacy initiative.
 
The vice minister went on to emphasize that Taiwan and the Philippines are both dedicated to safeguarding freedom, democracy, the rules-based international order, and regional peace and stability, as well as supporting the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law. The country will continue to deepen cooperation with the Philippines in areas spanning culture, disaster relief, the economy, education, humanitarian assistance, marine affairs, tourism and trade to jointly create prosperity for the people on both sides, he added.
 
Corazon A. Padiernos, chair and resident representative of the MECO, said that Taiwan and the Philippines are important economic and cooperative partners, expressing appreciation to Taiwanese society for supporting Filipino workers. She further thanked Taiwan for its humanitarian and medical aid to the Philippine people and concluded by wishing for enduring bilateral friendship. (YCH-E)
 
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 ]]>2846252026/06/15The recent statements issued by senior officials from Australia, Germany, South Korea, the U.K. and the EU reaffirming the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are sincerely appreciated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
 
According to the MOFA, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius met with their respective Australian counterparts Penny Wong and Richard Marles June 8 in Berlin for the Australia-Germany 2+2 Ministerial Consultations.
 
In a joint media statement issued later the same day, the officials also underscored their shared opposition to any unilateral change to the status quo by force or coercion. They reaffirmed that differences should be managed through dialogue and voiced support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations.
 
Two days later, Marles and Wong were hosted by U.K. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Defense Secretary John Healey in London for the Australia-U.K. Ministerial Consultations and issued a joint statement later the same day.
 
They expressed the same stance regarding the cross-strait situation, voiced concern over China’s destabilizing military exercises around Taiwan and reaffirmed commitment to deepening relations with Taiwan in the economic, trade, scientific, technological and cultural fields.
 
On the same day in Brussels, European Council President António Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung issued a joint statement after the EU-Republic of Korea Summit.
 
The trio reiterated support for the freedom of navigation and overflight, including in the South China Sea; stressed the importance of preserving cross-strait peace and stability; and opposed any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the Indo-Pacific.
 
The MOFA said these statements reflect that maintaining cross-strait peace and stability is a global consensus. The government will continue to work with like-minded partners to defend freedom, democracy and the rules-based order in the region, the ministry added. (SFC-E)
 
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw]]>2846242026/06/15Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim said she looked forward to working with France in the artificial intelligence, space and technology sectors to solidify the two sides’ reliable partnership.
 
Hsiao made the remarks while receiving a French delegation led by Estelle Youssouffa, member of the French National Assembly and secretary of the assembly’s Foreign Affairs Commission, June 12 at the Presidential Office in Taipei City. Other prominent guests included assembly members Thomas Gassilloud and Hanane Mansouri, as well as Franck Paris, director of the French Office in Taipei, the PO said.
 
In her remarks, the vice president thanked the assembly for its dedication to deepening Taiwan-France ties, citing the agency’s warm reception of Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu and his cross-party delegation during their recent visit to France.
 
Hsiao lauded multiple bills supporting Taiwan that France has passed in recent years, including the seven-year Military Programming Law, which identifies freedom of navigation in the Taiwan Strait as a key priority that France and the international community must jointly uphold. She also expressed appreciation for the assembly’s strong backing for Taiwan’s international participation, the PO added.
 
Additionally, the vice president noted that recent conflicts in Europe and the Middle East have had a significant impact on countries worldwide. Amid geopolitical volatility, Taiwan is striving to fulfill its responsibility in maintaining regional peace and stability, she said.
 
In terms of the economy, Taiwan’s performance in the first quarter this year was exceptional despite challenges such as U.S. tariffs and industrial changes brought about by AI, Hsiao said, adding that Taiwan is leaving no stone unturned in advancing supply chain cooperation with like-minded partners in Europe, Japan and the U.S.
 
Hsiao noted that a Taiwanese cultural delegation visited France during the 2024 Paris Olympics, while the 2026 Kaohsiung French Festival, held May 22-24 in the southern city, drew strong public interest. She expressed hope for expanded cultural exchanges, the PO added. (POC-E)
 
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 ]]>2845982026/06/12President Lai Ching-te expressed hope that the Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council will continue working with Taiwan to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific.
 
Lai made the remarks in a prerecorded video screened at the council’s annual meeting June 11 in Tokyo. He thanked council Chair Keiji Furuya and other Japanese lawmakers for their contributions to strengthening Taiwan-Japan relations, the Presidential Office said.
 
Over the past 53 years, the council has worked to deepen ties between Taiwanese and Japanese legislators, support Taiwan’s international participation and promote policies benefiting people on both sides. The president said this close relationship has helped advance cooperation in areas including the economy, education, technology, tourism and trade.
 
Lai also highlighted the council’s 2025 meeting, during which members reiterated their strong support for Taiwan. He also took the opportunity to thank Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for her repeated statements underscoring the importance of cross-strait stability.
 
The president said Taiwan, Japan and other like-minded partners must work together to counter authoritarian expansion and strengthen the rules-based international order. He added that shared values provide further opportunities to deepen cooperation between Taiwan and Japan.
 
During the annual meeting, Furuya announced the group’s new name, the Japan-Taiwan Diet Members’ Consultative Council, according to a June 11 Central News Agency report. (POC-E)
 
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 ]]>2845852026/06/12Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs François Chih-chung Wu said Taiwan is firmly committed to upholding freedom and democracy, deepening global cooperation and maintaining regional peace and stability.
 
The deputy minister made the remarks during a recent interview in Taipei City for an article about Taiwan’s silicon shield by Pascale Davies published June 10 on Euronews Next.
 
According to Wu, the Taiwan Strait is an important waterway for global trade and energy and high-tech industries. Maintaining cross-strait peace and stability is more than a regional issue; it is in the common interest of the entire global community, he said.
 
The deputy minister said Taiwan’s story is far more complex than Beijing’s false narrative that it has always been part of China. Unlike Hong Kong, Taiwan has its own army and foreign policy and will continue to defend its democracy and way of life while maintaining regional peace and stability.
 
In terms of Taiwan’s role in the global high-tech supply chain, Wu said the domestic semiconductor industry was built on long-term and close cooperation with Europe, citing various equipment and materials supplied by the Netherlands, Germany, France and Belgium. “All of Europe is inside that one square centimeter of silicon,” he said.
 
Despite persistent threats from China, Taiwan has continued to uphold its democracy, promote economic growth and enhance its social resilience. He said Taiwan is not asking Europe to go to war for Taiwan but instead looks forward to deepening friendship and cooperation in areas such as trade and economy, technology, talent cultivation and supply chain security.
 
“There is a Taiwanese story being written right now and I believe very much in Taiwanese resilience,” he said. (SFC-E)
 
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw]]>2845842026/06/12Deputy Foreign Minister François Chih-chung Wu took part in Israel’s 78th Independence Day Reception organized by the Israel Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei June 10 in the capital, where he pledged to continue advancing two-way ties.
 
Taiwan and Israel enjoy fruitful cooperation in areas such as the economy, innovation, personnel exchanges, technology and trade, Wu said, adding that the two partners also have collaboration potential grounded in their respective strengths in semiconductors and innovation. The two countries have faced unprecedented challenges in recent years, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the increased regional security pressure, the deputy minister noted, emphasizing that such challenges strengthen both sides’ resilience while encouraging them to work together to move forward amid adversity.
 
Wu further thanked Maya Yaron, the office’s outgoing representative, for her contributions to deepening the Taiwan-Israel relationship and welcomed her successor, Israel Strulov.
 
Yaron thanked Taiwan for supporting Israel, saying that the two sides both value freedom and democracy. She added that the partners have close exchanges in fields including culture, education, innovative technologies and trade, such as through the Innovex 2026 trade show and Global Cooperation and Training Framework events. The representative concluded by noting the growing people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, with the number of Israeli tourists visiting Taiwan exceeding 100,000 last year, and vowed to remain committed to maintaining Taiwan-Israel friendship.
 
According to the MOFA, Taiwan and Israel are democratic partners who share universal values. The two countries continue to work together in areas spanning academic exchanges, agriculture, democratic supply chain resilience, innovative technologies and medical care while jointly countering authoritarian threats, the ministry said, adding that Taiwan is committed to deepening Taiwan-Israel partnership across the board. (YCH-E)
 
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 ]]>2845522026/06/11Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung received a French National Assembly delegation led by its Foreign Affairs Committee Secretary Estelle Youssouffa June 8 in Taipei City to discuss the two-way ties and future cooperation.
 
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lin thanked the French government and Parliament for the long-standing support for Taiwan, citing Taiwan-friendly resolutions passed by the Parliament and the commitment to defending freedom of navigation in the Taiwan Strait included in France’s 2024-2030 Military Programming Law.
 
France is a potential strategic partner in implementing Taiwan’s Five Trusted Industry Sectors initiative, Lin said, adding that Taiwan is committed to deepening cooperation with France in areas spanning aerospace, the economy, energy, satellite communications and trade. The minister emphasized that Taiwan’s key role in the global artificial intelligence and semiconductor sectors makes the country a reliable partner for Europe to promote reindustrialization and rearmament policies.
 
In response, Youssouffa thanked the Taiwanese government for assisting the people of Mayotte, her hometown and a French overseas department off the coast of Southeastern Africa, with reconstruction after the island was hit by a typhoon in 2024. She concluded by inviting more Taiwanese enterprises to invest in the island to access the African market and reaffirmed that France attaches great importance to peace, stability and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific.
 
At a welcoming banquet, Deputy Foreign Minister François Chih-chung Wu noted that Taiwan’s drone exports to Europe in 2025 saw more than 40-fold year-on-year growth and that export volume in the first quarter already reached last year’s total, adding that Taiwan and France have promising prospects for drone cooperation. The two countries share the values of freedom, democracy and respect for human rights and that democracies should unite to counter authoritarian expansion, he said.
 
Delegation members will meet with Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim and Legislative Yuan President Daniel K. Y. Han, visit agencies including the Mainland Affairs Council, and tour institutions such as Hsinchu Science Park during their stay, according to the MOFA. (YCH-E)
 
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 ]]>2845482026/06/11Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim held a media reception on the last day of her “Palau Prosperity Project” visit June 10 in the Pacific ally, which was attended by members of Taiwanese news outlets that accompanied the delegation.
 
According to the Presidential Office, Hsiao said that during her stay, she visited several tourism attractions and historical sites with President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. and met with tribal leaders and important political figures. While attending various events and touring development projects, she also had extensive interactions with the local people to expand bilateral relations.
 
As tourism is a key industry in Palau, the vice president also experienced the ally’s natural beauty and discussed ways to attract more tourists from Taiwan with local authorities.
 
Last but not least, Hsiao said she personally witnessed the achievements of infrastructure projects completed with support from Taiwan on Babeldaob and Peleliu, as well as contributions by Taiwan Technical Mission to the ally’s development in areas spanning agriculture, education, digital transition, information technology, language learning, nutrition and medical care and public health.
 
The vice president expressed hope of seeing more cultural exchanges between the Indigenous youth of the two countries through the Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative launched by President Lai Ching-te in 2025.
 
She also anticipated sharing the success of Taiwan-Palau cooperative projects with other Pacific island states to show how Taiwan Can Help during the Pacific Islands Forum to be hosted by Palau in August, according to the PO. (SFC-E)
 
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw]]>2845582026/06/11Taiwanese franchises attended the Thailand Franchise & Business Opportunities 2026 event June 4-7 with fruitful results, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ Administration of Commerce.
 
A total of 187 business negotiations were held and 30 letters of intent were signed, with estimated follow-up business opportunities worth NT$72 million (US$2.27 million). Participating domestic companies included those in the food and beverage, leisure, and entertainment sectors, the AOC said.
 
Franchises, characterized by their standardized operations and potential for brand expansion, are a key pathway for the service industry to enter international markets, the administration said, adding that the AOC has continued to assist domestic enterprises with overseas expansion through trade shows and matchmaking events to enable local firms to build connections with international agents, counterparts and supply chain partners.
 
Thailand is a major market within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and with the Thai market’s average growth rate reaching 15 or even 20 percent, the Southeast Asian country could serve as a major springboard for Taiwanese firms to enter the regional market, the AOC said.
 
In addition to the TFBO, the administration will facilitate the participation of local businesses in expositions to be held in August and November in Melbourne, Australia, and the U.S. state of Arizona, respectively, the MOEA concluded. (POC-E)
 
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