2865152026/10/07The Oct. 6 visit by Kumamoto Governor Takashi Kimura and Prefectural Assembly Chair Koki Uchino is sincerely welcomed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
 
According to MOFA, Secretary General Daniel Kuo-ching Chen expressed condolences on behalf of the government and people of Taiwan for the loss incurred by the major earthquake that struck the prefecture in July.
 
Chen said both Taiwan and Japan face risks from natural disasters and always extend helping hands to each other during such difficult times. Donations from across Taiwan have surpassed NT$300 million (US$9.44 million) so far, highlighting determination to assist Japan in times of need, he added.
 
Citing the World Alliance for Disaster Management launched last month in Taipei City, the secretary general said Taiwan will apply its disaster management experience and expand cooperation with Japan and other partners to contribute to global disaster prevention and management.
 
In response, Kimura thanked Taiwan for the warm assistance following the earthquake, adding that he and Uchino made the trip to convey their appreciation in person.
 
Kumamoto’s ties with Taiwan have reached a new high following the establishment of a Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. fab in the prefecture, the governor said.
 
Kimura said direct flights to Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung Cities have also made exchanges ever-more convenient. He called on Taiwanese people to choose products from Kumamoto to support affected businesses in recovery, and encouraged them to travel to the prefecture and experience its hospitality in person. (SFC-E)
 
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw]]>2865162026/10/07Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung attended the launch of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Phoenix, Arizona, Oct. 5.
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego were also present at the event, as was Ingrid Larson, managing director of the American Institute in Taiwan. Business representatives from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and other Taiwanese corporations also participated in the event.
 
Prior to the opening ceremony, Lin met separately with Hobbs and Gallego to express official appreciation for long-standing state and municipal support of Taiwanese enterprises in the region. The MOFA said the minister also discussed topics including bilateral investment, talent cultivation, and technological and industry cooperation with the governor and mayor.
 
Following the talks, Lin and Hobbs jointly witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Executive Yuan-affiliated National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Association and Arizona Commerce Authority. The pact will promote corporate collaboration between Taiwan and Arizona, the MOFA stated.
 
The minister’s itinerary included a visit to TSMC Arizona, where he also spoke with the company’s suppliers. He called at the Halo Vista development near the TSMC foundry in northern Arizona and at the Arizona State University Polytechnic Innovation Zone in Mesa to gain insight into Taiwanese corporations’ investment, operation and development needs.
 
TECO-Phoenix is Taiwan’s 14th representative office in the U.S. and the MOFA pledged that Taiwan would work with Arizona to forge a resilient, mutually beneficial global supply chain. (POC-E)
 
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 ]]>2864842026/10/06Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung and a business delegation from Taiwan’s National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Association (NiEA) visited Phoenix, Arizona Oct. 3-5 to expand bilateral trade cooperation.
 
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the minister attended the opening ceremony of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Phoenix and held discussions with leaders of the local Taiwanese community.
 
He also met with Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the NiEA and the Arizona Commerce Authority, and toured the Taiwan AI Smart Health Showcase Center.
 
The MOFA said the minister was accompanied by Ingrid Larson, the managing director of the American Institute in Taiwan, throughout the three-day visit, reflecting the importance both sides attach to enhancing two-way cooperation.
 
Taiwanese firms have been expanding investment in the U.S. in recent years, the ministry said, noting that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.’s Arizona facility is inspiring additional investment from firms in related supply chains. The minister’s visit aimed to better understand the needs of these Taiwanese firms and help them connect with local governments, industry sectors and communities, the MOFA added.
 
The new office in Phoenix represents a milestone in the Taiwan-U.S. trade partnership, the ministry said, adding that it will pave the way for further cultural, education, supply chain and trade cooperation and exchange with Arizona and New Mexico. (SFC-E)
 
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw]]>2864902026/10/06Lai Ying-ying, director general of the Ministry of Environment Resource Circulation Administration (RECA), led a delegation to Australia, underscoring government commitment to bilateral policy dialogue and industry collaboration.
 
Lai joined an Oct. 1 seminar on unlocking circular markets at the Asia Pacific Circular Economy Hotspot 2026 held Sept. 30-Oct. 2 in Sydney, during which she shared how Taiwan advanced waste management and recycling, so that the circular economy is viewed as an opportunity for market transformation and industrial upgrade.
 
On Oct. 2, Lai and delegates held sideline talks with representatives of the national Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and with the New South Wales Environmental Protection Authority. They discussed circular badges, green shopping, waste to energy process, investment and technological cooperation. The latter with regard to recycling of batteries, solar panels and other key materials, according to the MOENV.
 
The delegation attended multiple accelerator networking events where RECA shared how Taiwan encourages recycling through circular shopping. Circular architecture and metal recycling were also discussed.
 
The circular economy involves transnational resources and supply chain cooperation thus Taiwan undertook to work closely with Australia and other Asia-Pacific partners to forge a low-carbon, resilient and sustainable circular economy system. (POC-E)
 
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 ]]>2864602026/10/05A workshop on disaster management in the Pacific was organized by Taiwan and the U.S. under the Global Cooperation and Training Framework Sept. 29-30 in Auckland, New Zealand.
 
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the workshop was the first GCTF event held in New Zealand and involved disaster response experts, officials, policy experts and private-sector representatives from the members, associate members and observers of the Pacific Island Forum.
 
In opening remarks, Taiwan’s Rep. Joanne Ou said natural disasters are a common and pressing challenge for countries around the world. Taiwan has learned through practical experience how preparedness is key to reducing the impact of natural disasters and facilitating post-disaster reconstruction.
 
Located at the junctures of earthquake-prone tectonic plates, with frequent typhoons and floods, Taiwan is committed to sharing best practice and resources with partners across the Indo-Pacific, especially with PIF nations, to enhance their disaster response management capabilities, she added.
 
U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Gabrielle Cowan said that as the Pacific is susceptible to natural disasters, the region’s management resilience builds on generations of experience in mitigation and reconstruction procedure.
 
In particular, Cowan said Taiwan’s early warning systems and whole-of-society disaster preparedness make it one of the best prepared places in the world, and looked forward to participants’ mutual learning and exploration of feasible collaboration. (SFC-E)
 
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw]]>2864622026/10/05Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Cynthia Kiang co-chaired the 28th UK-Taiwan Trade Talks with Minister of State in the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, Lord Sarwar Oct. 2 in London.
 
Kiang noted that Taiwan’s experience in advanced manufacturing, system integration and supply chain management segued well with U.K. advantages in artificial intelligence chip design and basis research. Lord Sarwar characterized the discussion as exploring opportunities for bilateral cooperation in advanced manufacturing, clean energy and digital trade.
 
Kiang and Sarwar also witnessed two memorandums of understanding. One was between the Export-Import Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and UK Export Finance on export finance collaboration; and the other was between the Chinese International Economic Cooperation Association and Tech UK on a technology industry exchange platform.
 
The U.K. is Taiwan’s third largest trade partner in Europe and in 2025 bilateral trade volume exceeded US$6.8 billion. The MOEA pledged to enhance bilateral supply chain resilience through public-private efforts.
 
Head of the Taipei Representative Office in the U.K. Vincent Yao and Representative at the British Office in Taipei Ruth Bradley-Jones signed a UK-Taiwan Science, Innovation and Technology Arrangement for cooperation on satellite communications and a semiconductor personnel cultivation project, stated the National Science and Technology Council in an Oct. 3 press release. (POC-E)
 
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 ]]>2864352026/10/02Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim spoke of a continued deepening of exchanges with Oita prefecture as part of the overall expansion of the partnership between Japan and Taiwan.
 
Hsiao made the remarks while receiving a Japanese delegation led by Governor Kiichiro Sato of Oita prefecture Oct. 1 at the Presidential Office in Taipei City. The PO said that Seishiro Eto, former representative of Oita to the Diet and current chair of the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association, was also in attendance.
 
The vice president noted that Taiwan and the Kyushu region, which includes Oita, have maintained robust relations over the years, particularly with respect to mutual assistance after natural disasters. She added that cooperation in areas including industry and the economy has grown in recent years.
 
Hsiao also expressed gratitude to Eto for his long-standing commitment to facilitating Taiwan-Japan ties even after his retirement from the Diet, mentioning the Hsinchu City-headquartered Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s investment in Kyushu as a cornerstone of reciprocal prosperity.
 
The vice president also said that Oita is a popular destination with Taiwanese travelers, and encouraged more frequent people-to-people visits to pave the way for additional exchanges. (POC-E)
 
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 ]]>2864402026/10/02Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Chen Ming-chi hosted a delegation from the American Legislative Exchange Council Sept. 30 in Taipei City to exchange views on bilateral trade and investment, energy resilience, talent cultivation and other key issues.
 
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the group comprises state legislators from Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas and West Virginia.
 
Chen thanked the ALEC for continuing to adopt Taiwan-friendly resolutions in recent years, reiterating the importance of the Taiwan Relations Act and Six Assurances, opposing China’s distortion of the U.N.G.A. Resolution 2758, and firmly supporting Taiwan’s international participation.
 
Taiwan is the fourth-largest trading partner of the U.S., the deputy minister said, adding that he looked forward to strengthened cooperation with U.S. states in semiconductors, cybersecurity and advanced manufacturing, and expansion of educational exchange and personnel cultivation through the Taiwan-U.S. Education Initiative to jointly forge resilient, non-red, high-tech supply chains.
 
Leading the delegation, Kansas State Representative Pat Proctor said the various resolutions passed by the ALEC emphasized the unwavering support from state legislators. He stressed the importance of Taiwan-U.S. ties, adding that close cooperation will continue to create opportunities for economic development. He also hoped to see the two sides expand economic, high-tech and security cooperation, adding that the ALEC is committed to promoting Taiwan-U.S. partnership. (SFC-E)
 
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw]]>2864142026/10/01Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs François Chih-chung Wu was interviewed online by Austrian media outlet Die Presse correspondent Susanna Bastaroli. In the resulting article, published Sept. 23, Wu discussed Taiwan-U.S. relations, sovereignty and international participation, the cross-strait status quo and the semiconductor industry.
 
Wu characterized the U.S. as a major trade and industry partner, with Taiwan investing in the U.S. and supporting U.S. objectives in semiconductor manufacturing. The deputy FM noted that U.S. defense sales to Taiwan are going ahead, as it is in the interest of the U.S. to reinforce Taiwan’s self-defense capability and the stance enjoys cross-party support from congress.
 
Wu further emphasized that Taiwan is a sovereign state with a democratically elected government, its own policy, legal system, territory and currency. He stated that Taiwan develops mutually beneficial relations with other countries and that its expertise and experience would be of benefit to the United Nations.
 
Wu concluded by remarking that Taiwan and Austria are both democratic societies and share common values, therefore as global democracy faces challenges, deepening exchanges between the two is necessary. Taiwan will continue working with Europe, the U.S., and other like-minded countries to maintain the status quo. (POC-E)
 
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 ]]>2864082026/10/01Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung met with Belizean Governor-General Froyla Tzalam and Prime Minister John Briceño Sept. 28 in Belize during the first leg of his Central American tour.
 
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lin discussed a wide range of issues with Tzalam, including Belize’s admirably unwavering support for Taiwan’s international participation, Taiwan’s assistance with Belize’s national development and bilateral projects such as the Taiwan Caribbean Prosperity Academy.
 
While meeting with Briceño later in the day, Lin thanked the prime minister for his strong support for Taiwan at the general debate of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, in which he spoke about Taiwan being a force for good in the world, as well as underscoring the importance he attached to his country’s diplomatic ties with Taiwan for 37 years.
 
Lin said the goals of the visit included introducing Taiwan’s electric buses and smart systems to help upgrade the ally’s transportation, and exploring ways to mitigate the marine and ecological impact caused by spreading sargassum seaweeds to ensure sustainable tourism in Belize.
 
Briceño expressed appreciation to the minister and the trade delegation for proposing smart solutions in key areas. Calling Taiwan a steadfast, supportive and trusted partner with high-tech prowess, the prime minister expected the allies to expand cooperation to address global warming and enhance climate adaptation.
 
Lin also met with his counterpart, Francis Fonseca, and highlighted the success of bilateral projects promoting infrastructure development, public health, talent cultivation, social welfare and the empowerment of women. Fonseca reiterated his country’s support for Taiwan, hoping to see the two-way trade continue to scale new heights under the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project.
 
Following the discussions, the two foreign ministers concluded a joint communique and witnessed the signing of a letter of intent on the Taiwan Caribbean Prosperity Academy and an agreement on diplomat training and exchanges. (SFC-E)
 
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw]]>2863892026/09/30Director General Lee Hung-hsi of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute led a delegation to three cities in Thailand Sept. 21-26 at the invitation of the Thailand Trade and Economic Office.
 
According to the MOA, the group was composed of six members from academia, governmental bodies and industrial sectors. They first visited Bangkok to exchange views on artificial intelligence policies and applications with representatives from Thailand’s Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and relevant academic institutions.
 
The delegation discussed public-private cooperation, industrial transformation and jointly exploring low-carbon agriculture with Thailand Development Research Institute and Siam Cement Group, the ministry said.
 
The itinerary also included visits to Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, where delegates met with young farmers, community organizations and creators of smart farms to gain insight into local smart farming practices. The MOA added that they visited Chiang Mai-based Maejo University to speak with counterparts about agricultural engineering, technology transfer and talent cultivation.
 
Taiwan’s promotion of smart agriculture goes back nearly a decade, and the ministry said the country’s experience with AI, data application, the Internet of Things and microclimate sensing contribute to enhanced production efficiency and resilience by addressing climate change, labor shortages and limited resources through judicious adoption of technology.
 
The MOA pledged to leverage the Taiwan-Thailand agricultural cooperation platform to promote industry matchmaking, research collaboration and talent exchange to benefit farmers and businesses in both countries and facilitate development in the Asia-Pacific. (POC-E)
 
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 ]]>2863832026/09/30Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung arrived with a trade delegation in Belize on the first leg of a visit to Central America, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Sept. 29.
 
According to the MOFA, the group comprises over 30 representatives from a range of industries, including aerospace, artificial intelligence, biotech, finance, healthcare, green energy, smart transport and tourism.
 
While in Belize, Lin will meet with Governor-General Froyla Tzalam, Prime Minister John Briceño, Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Francis Fonseca and other key political figures.
 
The minister will inspect the construction of the San Pedro General Hospital, the planned site of the Taiwan Caribbean Prosperity Academy and a social housing project, as well as sign a joint communique and an agreement on diplomat training and exchanges with Fonseca.
 
During his stay in Guatemala, Lin will meet with President Bernardo Arévalo and Foreign Minister Carlos Ramiro Martínez. He will also  host a reception celebrating 92 years of diplomatic ties and the Taiwan National Day alongside Martínez.
 
The minister’s Guatemala itinerary includes attending the unveiling ceremonies of a renovation project at the Guatemalan Foreign Ministry and an airport monitoring and emergency response control center, and inspecting the proposed location of a cancer hospital.
 
The MOFA said the trade delegation will organize economic cooperation meetings and business-matching events in both countries, and invite the US-Taiwan Business Council and the local U.S. chambers of commerce for exchanges to enhance trilateral democratic business alliances. (SFC-E)
 
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw]]>2863572026/09/29Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim welcomed Slade Brockman, deputy president of the Australian Senate, and a bipartisan delegation of Australian parliamentarians Sept. 23 at the Presidential Office in Taipei City.
 
The group included Senator Richard Dowling, House of Representative members Ben Small, Mary Aldred and Zoe McKenzie. Robert Fergusson, head of the Australian Office in Taipei, was also present.
 
Hsiao thanked the delegation for long-standing support of the Taiwan-Australia partnership and noted that the Indo-Pacific region currently faces many challenges and that Taiwan deals with various military and gray area pressures. Although the global economy is in a period of turbulence and adjustment, Taiwan promotes diversified strategies and establishes stable, trustworthy supply chains with like-minded partners.
 
Taiwan and Australia continue dialogue and cooperation in energy, minerals, and other economic sectors, Hsiao said. Further, over the past year, Taiwan has benefited from the development of artificial intelligence and hardware demand, with this year's growth expected to reach 11 percent.
 
The vice president stated that Taiwan understands the importance of fostering mutual growth and prosperity across all sectors of society thus it expands and enriches international partnerships. For example, the New Southbound Policy included Australia as well as the southeast Asian countries.
 
Hsiao lauded the work put in from all sectors for the significant progress made in Taiwan-Australia relations and looked forward to continuing development of the relationship. (POC-E)
 
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 ]]>2863502026/09/29Thirteen winners of the second edition of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ “FindingTaiwan_2.0: Where We Connect” international short film competition were honored Sept. 24 in Taipei City.
 
According to the MOFA, a total of 280 entries were submitted from 45 countries and territories during the event’s two-month run this year, nearly double the country number of the previous edition. Around 80 percent were produced by foreign nationals, demonstrating the competition’s global reach, the ministry added.
 
The 13 winners hailed from Taiwan, Australia, Hong Kong, France, Germany, Poland, Spain, South Africa, the U.K. and the U.S., with the top prize going to “The Most Beautiful Scenery in Taiwan,” a joint production by Caleb Chen of Taiwan and Sam Leung of Hong Kong.
 
Deputy Foreign Minister François Chih-chung Wu said at the award ceremony that in addition to its high-tech and semiconductor prowess, Taiwan attracts notice with its rich humanity and diverse natural landscape.
 
The videos feature a wide range of themes, including freedom and democracy, a sense of belonging, travel vlogs and unique perspectives on everyday life, he said, adding that the productions reflected creators’ diverse cultural backgrounds and perspectives to highlight their connections with Taiwan.
 
Wu noted that the competition is a cultural initiative as part of the ministry’s integrated diplomacy approach. It invites creators from home and abroad to share their views of Taiwan, highlight Taiwan's connection with the world and attracts the international community to a deeper understanding of the country. (SFC-E)
 
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw]]>2863312026/09/24Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung conferred the Grand Medal of Diplomacy on David Steinke, outgoing head of the Czech Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei, Sept. 22 in the capital in honor of his contributions to Taiwan-Czechia ties.
 
The minister underscored the thriving exchanges between Taiwan and Czechia during Steinke’s four-year term, citing the launch of direct flights between Taipei and Prague in July 2023 and the Taiwan-Czech Resilience Program on joint semiconductor research in June 2024.
 
Lin said he and Steinke jointly hosted two delegations headed by Czech Senate President Miloš Vystrčil and First Deputy Speaker Jiří Drahoš to Taiwan. Their visits not only helped enhance the democratic partnership but also promoted expanded exchanges between Taiwan and European like-minded countries, the minister added.
 
In addition, the minister visited Czechia twice during the same period and engaged in in-depth, candid and constructive discussions with officials, he said, adding that the visits also boded well for further expansion of the two-way ties.
 
In response, Steinke said he was honored to receive the medal. He recalled an interview with local media at the start of his term, in which he listed the direct flights, exhibition of National Palace Museum treasures in Prague and semiconductor cooperation as top priorities.
 
The representative said he is pleased that all the goals have been achieved. He added that he will miss Taiwan, saying that he will always remember the warmth of the people and the way the society blends tradition and technology. (SFC-E)
 
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