In line with the government’s forward-looking railway project, the Ministry of Education established a personnel training base at National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology’s (NKUST) Railway Technical Center (RTC) in 2019. Two years later the Ministry of Transportation and Communications set up the Railway Technology Research and Certification Center. Both are located near Yanchao Main Workshop, THSRC’s maintenance center in Kaohsiung. According to NKUST professor of electrical engineering and RTC Director Chang Chien ­Jia-ren (張簡嘉壬), the RTC began ­cooperating with THSRC in 2012 on a ­railway equipment laboratory to develop local train and component production capabilities, anticipating ­gaining a share of international rail markets. Recently it has raised its global profile through participation­ in rail transport trade shows such as Railwaytech Indonesia 2023 in Jakarta and InnoTrans 2024 in Berlin.

International Networking

THSRC also regularly sends personnel to Europe to tap into the latest rail developments. THSRC Chair Shih Che (史哲) led a delegation to Mass-Trans Innovation Japan 2025 in November and was joined by Chang Chien. The RTC team exhibited collaborative THSRC R&D outcomes in fields such as information computing systems for engineering vehicles, public address services, train ­signal monitoring units, and wayside ­calibration devices for rainfall, water level and wind speed. At the exposition Shih met with Japanese representatives ­undertaking the manufacture and installation of new N700ST train cars on the THSRC system. The first car is scheduled to arrive in Taiwan by August and be in operation the following year on completion of static and dynamic tests. “All of the new rolling stock is expected to have entered circulation by the end of 2028,” said Elaine Tsou (鄒衡蕪), vice president of the Public Affairs Division at THSRC. The additional cars will enable better service as ridership increases: Last year saw the average daily rider count reach 225,000, rising by 5.1 percent from the previous year’s figure.
 

Partnerships and close ties with the global rail transport sector stretch back to the planning stages of Taiwan’s first high speed rail (HSR) line. The system had a core electromechanical system from Japan’s Shinkansen and incorporated European ­concepts such as a bidirectional signaling system that allows the train to move in both directions on a single track in response to local requirements. Tsou recalled that during track construction, each civil works section was carried out as a joint venture between an international company and a domestic partner to ensure both effective introduction of advanced international expertise and local business involvement to gain process experience. She pointed to early-stage contributions from many international engineers and specialists, extending to encompass the initial phase of operation. “Our personnel initially received training from Central Japan Railway Co., but by October 2008, all THSRC drivers and operations control center staff were locally sourced,” Tsou said.

Japan Links

The collaborative relationship between THSRC and Central Japan Railway continues to the present day as the Japanese company offers consultative services and technical assistance with core system upgrades. Since 2013 THSRC has also conducted dialogue and exchanged visits on a regular basis with other Japanese rail companies. Kyushu Railway Co. has contributed to front-line staff service training, and the East and West Japan Railway Companies have both swapped practical business know-how. Representatives from THSRC joined those of the four Japanese rail companies on the board of directors of the International High-Speed Rail Association (IHRA), which was established in 2014 in Tokyo to mark the 50th anniversary of the Central Japan Shinkansen service, the first of its kind in the world. The group’s goal is to disseminate knowledge on creating safe, reliable and efficient HSR systems.

The IHRA’s 28 regular member firms include contributors to the N700ST project like Hitachi Group, Kyosan Electric Manufacturing Co., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Nippon Signal Co. and Toshiba Corp. Its ­advisory board consists of rail operators and experts from ­countries that are operating or ­planning HSR ­systems such as Australia, Canada, India, Malaysia, Thailand, the U.K. and the U.S. The IHRA Meeting 2024 was co-organized by THSRC and took place in Taipei with around 200 guests from 12 countries in attendance. Similar ­international events held in Taiwan include the International Union of Railways’ Second World High Speed Interaction Workshop in 2012 for extant and potential HSR operators and infrastructure managers to exchange ­experience and best practices on the ­maintenance of HSR systems.

Role Change

The THSRC also conducts exchanges and cooperates with other companies such as Germany’s Deutsche Bahn and Italy’s Trenitalia SpA. Since 2019 India’s National High Speed Rail Corp. has engaged with the THSRC on technical issues as it undertakes its first HSR project. Local HSR industry chains and ­technology applications are now also sharing expertise as they accumulate operation experience, augmented by R&D input from partners like RTC. “Our role has changed from knowledge acquisition to transmission of expertise to other countries,” Tsou said. Questions frequently raised by international railway peers include how to maintain punctuality with high passenger volumes, safety and risk mitigation, and the development of in-house maintenance capabilities.

 

In further recognition for THSRC, the company ranked fifth in the 2025 Global 100 most sustainable firms and first in the transit and ground transportation group, continuing a strong showing for the third consecutive year due to performance in such categories as ­low-carbon transport and energy management. Announced in last year’s Geneva-based World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in January, the ranking assessed over 8,000 companies with revenues of more than US$1 ­billion. Over the past two decades THSRC’s service has integrated into daily life and modern culture as punctual, reliable transport that is symbolic of the country’s efficiency and infrastructure construction competence. “Platforms like IHRA leverage international cooperative relationships that create solutions for ­practical issues and functions,” Tsou said. “Our experience in operation, maintenance and urban transformation adds valuable resources to the HSR sector.” 
 

Write to Pat Gao at cjkao@mofa.gov.tw
 

It has been an exciting season for the air travel industry in Taiwan, which has reached new heights as one of the top regional air travel and tourism centers. Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport’s (TTIA) Terminal 3 complex, slated for completion in 2027, opened its northern boarding concourse for trial operation Dec. 1, featuring flight departures by Taiwan-based China Airlines, EVA Air and Starlux Airlines. New routes are being inaugurated at TTIA, with China Airlines Flight 36 taking off for Phoenix, Arizona, Dec. 3, the first in Asia to directly connect to the southwest U.S., and at the end of last year Starlux announced that direct service from Taichung City to Tokyo would begin March 30.

The gateway to Taiwan since its opening in 1979, TTIA ranked No. 13 globally according to an Airports Council International (ACI) assessment of the busiest airports by international passenger traffic in 2024, and the airport is sure to move up the list once Terminal 3 is completed next year. The facility is expected to process 20 million passengers annually, pushing the airport’s total capacity to 57 million. TTIA, located about 40 kilometers west of Taipei City, has also been recognized for the high quality of its service. Skytrax, a London-based consultancy that reviews airports and airlines worldwide, rates it highly in multiple categories including cleanliness, baggage delivery and immigration service. Last year both EVA Air and Starlux were awarded Skytrax’s five-star airline certification, with the former winning the honor for the tenth consecutive year.

Rising Standards
TTIA organizes the Taoyuan Airport Forum to enhance airport service quality-and passengers’ airport experiences-through international exchanges. In 2025 more than 200 professionals attended the event, including representatives of Japanese, Thai and U.S. airports, as well as industry organizations like ACI. TTIA has also adopted measures such as hiring mystery shoppers who evaluate the airport, from service at customs to restroom management. The airport has inspected and optimized a system of 998 digital displays at Terminals 1 and 2 in the past two years to make them more user friendly and aesthetically pleasing.

Terminal 3 is an important part of TTIA’s future, not least because of the benefits to Taiwanese airlines using it as their main hub. “The airport’s increased capacity to handle larger transit passenger numbers due to Terminal 3 is a boon to Starlux in actively expanding international routes,” said the airline’s Chief Strategy Officer Simon Liu (劉允富). EVA Air Chief Executive Vice President Liao Chi-wei (廖至維) noted that the new terminal not only substantially enhances the competitiveness of airlines but also elevates the status of the airport as a regional and global aviation hub.

Designed by British firm RSHP, the terminal architecture is inspired by Taiwan’s geography, flora and fauna. The wave-like roof emulates ocean currents and seabirds spreading their wings. The 16 steel pillars that support the roof echo the ancient giant trees found in Taiwan’s high-altitude cloud forest, while plants on the structure’s external walls evoke terraced rice paddies.

As a working space, the terminal combines efficiency and aesthetics in ergonomic design, with 1,488 sets of ceiling fixtures that gracefully integrate lighting, air-conditioning vents, a public address system, smoke detectors and Wi-Fi base stations. The Multi-Aircraft Ramp System, the first in Taiwan, allows an airport gate to flexibly serve either one wide-bodied plane or two narrow-bodied planes simultaneously. This smart engineering can reduce delays and congestion on the tarmac, decrease reliance on shuttle buses and shorten plane downtime.

Soft Touch
In addition to the smooth hardware operation that allowed TTIA to welcome 84 percent of all international passengers visiting Taiwan by air in 2024, the human experience offered by Taiwanese airlines plays a vital part in cultivating goodwill. “Taiwanese ground and flight staff are both very approachable and detail oriented when providing services. The combination always impresses passengers,” said Wan Guang-man (萬光滿‮‬), associate professor at the Department of Airline and Transport Service Management at National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism. She added that the outstanding performance of all three major Taiwan airlines last year in Skytrax’s cleanliness category—with EVA Air named the cleanest—testifies to these carriers’ quality of service.

Diverse and locally inspired food is one of the components that contribute to the strong reputation of Taiwanese airlines. EVA Air’s steamed dumplings provided by world-renowned restaurant chain Din Tai Fung have captivated gourmets flying business class on selected routes since 2002. China Airlines has long demonstrated inclusivity by offering high-quality plant-based meals in collaboration with such partners as the 2025 Michelin Guide to Taiwan-listed Little Tree Food. Dishes from the vegetarian restaurant became available to passengers on the carrier’s long-haul flights last October. Starlux offers Taiwanese cuisine made by another Michelin-recognized restaurant, Yuen Ji.

Flying Green
In line with growing awareness of the need to cut carbon emissions, airlines are actively responding. “We examine and implement every means possible to move in a sustainable direction, replacing aging aircraft with more energy-efficient models, digitizing in-flight publications and reducing layers of paint on the jets to lower their weight,” said Liao. EVA Air is the first Taiwan airline to use AeroSHARK, a biomimetic surface film akin to the texture of shark skin that saves fuel by reducing aerodynamic drag. Taiwanese airlines are also beginning to use sustainable aviation fuel made from sources like recycled oil and agricultural biowaste.

On the ground TTIA’s jetways are another means by which the airport supports airlines’ green practices. A project begun in 2012 replaced passenger boarding bridges with newer models equipped with cables and hoses to deliver electricity and cooled air to planes parked at gates. No longer do planes at TTIA rely on auxiliary power units on the aircraft or fossil fuel-powered service trucks during passenger boarding and offloading.

In 2016 TTIA reached Level 2 of the Airport Carbon Accreditation program launched by ACI Europe. It adopted further carbon-reduction measures that led the airport to move up to Level 3 in 2019 and Level 4 last year, the highest in the accreditation system. Aside from upgrading jetways, it has expanded infrastructure to support the use of sustainable fuel for airlines and transitioned shuttle buses and baggage tractors to electric alternatives. “We congratulate TTIA for its significant strides in reducing carbon emissions, setting a benchmark for airports across the region,” said Stefano Baronci, director general of ACI Asia-Pacific and Middle East. “Its approach aligns with our industry’s collective vision of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.” Taiwan’s largest airport, as well as the three major Taiwanese airlines that make it their base of operations, is friendly not only to passengers but to the environment, offering extra appeal for visitors who wish to travel both responsibly and with ease.

Write to Oscar Chung at mhchung@mofa.gov.tw

Baoan Temple’s approach reflects the enduring popularity of urban religious festivals, also seen at Monga Qingshan Temple on Wanhua District’s Guiyang Street, Taipei’s oldest commercial thoroughfare. Last year marked the temple’s 170th anniversary, which coincided with the annual celebration of its main deity Qingshan Wang’s birthday in the 10th lunar month. Co-hosted with local agencies, the latest edition included art exhibitions, guided tours, pop concerts and televised variety shows. International exchange also played a role, with organizers of the Kenkayama festival at Fushiki Shrine in Japan’s Toyama prefecture bringing ­towering lantern floats to join Qingshan’s nighttime parade. Lin Mao-hsien (林茂賢), an associate professor in the Department of Taiwanese Languages and Literature at National Taichung University of Education, said that such creative ­programming, arranged in collaboration with the Taipei City Government’s Department of Information and Tourism and the state-backed General Association of Chinese Culture, adds new momentum to Qingshan’s celebrations.

See Devotion

With temples dedicated to a wide array of deities spread across urban neighborhoods and rural communities alike, there is no lack of festivals in the calendar. The third lunar month is especially rich in large-scale events, led by weekslong ­pilgrimages honoring Mazu, the beloved sea goddess worshipped at more than 1,000 temples nationwide. Her birthday on the 23rd day of the lunar month draws vast crowds onto the roads. Signature events such as the Taichung Mazu International Festival organized by Dajia Jenn Lann Temple in Taichung City, along with pilgrimages associated with Miaoli County’s Baishatun Gongtian Temple, are officially recognized as part of Taiwan’s intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture. Among the ­country’s 24 designated major folk traditions, ­several Mazu-related events have been selected by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications’ Tourism Administration (TA) for ­focused international promotion in 2026 and 2027.
 

Upgraded from a bureau in 2023, the TA spotlights Taiwan’s folk cultures by hosting international media visits and launching campaigns that engage social media influencers and public figures. According to the agency, Taiwan’s ­religious festivals usually offer distinctive, immersive experiences marked by ­movement, color and collective participation, qualities that give the country its unique character in the global tourism landscape. Lin noted that while many destinations compete through historic sites or natural scenery, Taiwan’s living cultural activities like temple festivals and Mazu pilgrimages appeal to both domestic and overseas visitors.

Lin personally joins these events every year, and students enrolled in his courses on the culture of Taiwan are encouraged to take part. Participation, he emphasized, is cultural rather than doctrinal. Students attend to observe folk customs firsthand and experience the trust and emotional connection shared among participants and local residents, who routinely help one another with food, lodging and transportation along the routes.
 

Lin also pointed to the close relationship between religion and art. “Much like historic Western churches, temples are composite works of art, featuring paintings, calligraphy, stone and wood carvings, and architecture such as roof ridges adorned with cut ceramic pieces,” he said. “In this sense, temples function as living museums and community centers, where belief is expressed not only through static craftsmanship but also in mobile performances of dance, drama and music.” From a tourism perspective, extended pilgrimages generate wide-ranging economic benefits, supporting guest houses, eateries, transportation services and sales of local agricultural specialties along their paths.

Unexpected Turns

Connections among temples form a ­nationwide network, reinforced through frequent exchanges. Last November, for example, a statue of Mazu, which ­believers revere as carrying the spirit of the goddess, traveled from Beigang Chaotian Temple in Yunlin County north by train to Taipei to participate in the Qingshan celebrations, arriving at Wanhua Station to an official welcome from city leaders. Each year Chaotian Temple is also the destination for an over 300-kilometer round trip pilgrimage starting out from Gongtian Temple in Miaoli. The ­longest journey of its kind in Taiwan, the roughly 10-day trek follows no fixed route. Instead, the path changes annually, guided by divine cues given to the Mazu palanquin bearers, according to devotees.
 

“Any crossroad could result in a ­surprising turn,” Lin said, adding that this element of unpredictability has ­fueled growing interest. In 2025 more than 300,000 pilgrims officially registered with Gongtian, while hundreds of thousands of informal followers accompanied the procession at some point. The scale and distinctive character of the journey have drawn international attention, including coverage by the BBC.
 

Forms of worship and modes of ­celebration vary widely by region and ­season, Lin noted. In southwestern coastal communities such as Donggang Township in Pingtung County, autumn brings elaborate ceremonies welcoming Wang Ye, a deity believed to expel illness and ­misfortune. Held triennially during the lunar years of the ox, dragon, sheep and dog, the weeklong ritual culminates in the burning of a large, meticulously constructed vessel on the beach, symbolically sending Wang Ye back to heaven after touring the human realm. The ceremony demands extensive preparation and financial resources, which Lin said are accepted for the collective emotional reassurance and continuity it offers local communities.

Evolving Practice

Environmental considerations have ­increasingly shaped discussions around Taiwan’s temple culture, reflecting broader social awareness. Lin recalled that in the past, the outdoor procession of Dajia Jenn Lann Temple’s Mazu palanquin advanced over layers of spent firecrackers that left little ground visible. Today the volume has been reduced considerably from its former level. Many temples have also significantly cut back on burning incense and paper offerings, resulting in cleaner air while continuing core rituals. These changes, Lin stressed, represent gradual, community-led adaptation rather than legal restraints, allowing traditions to evolve with the times.
 

The TA views large-scale folk celebrations as a cornerstone of Taiwan’s cultural identity and a defining asset for its ­tourism brand. A familiar sight at temple festivals is the appearance of the eight generals, whose elaborately painted faces and measured, rhythmic choreography ­depict the underworld deities charged with capturing malevolent spirits. Taiwanese eight-general groups have performed internationally, including at France’s Nice Carnival, one of the world’s largest folk festivals. Local culture comprises a ­substantial element in a country’s international tourism appeal, and a high profile in domestic and ­overseas media ensures that traditions are sustained as they are widely shared. Through ­raising awareness and offering access to its unique historic spiritual practices, Taiwan ensures the enduring vitality of its ­cultural landscape.

Write to Pat Gao at cjkao@mofa.gov.tw

The Daxi Tea Factory was built in 1926 by Mitsui & Co. during Japanese rule (1895-1945) as a modern mechanized tea processing facility in what is now Taoyuan City. The design was based on airy British tea processing factories in India and ran at high capacity on a three-shift system, with machines running nonstop day and night to produce up to 600 tons of black tea annually for export.

Tea processing and export was one of Taiwan’s most successful industries throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A decade of government operation followed Japanese surrender at the end of World War II, and the factory reverted to private enterprise in 1955. It closed down in the early 1990s, reflecting a decline in the industry, but the trend toward utilizing industrial heritage for culture and leisure infused the old building with new purpose. It was restored over three years and reopened in 2014, winning an architectural award for preservation of details like the brick and cypress wood roof structure. The operation received certification as a tourism factory site from the Ministry of Economic Affairs in 2015 and currently offers guided tours and is home to a cafe and a shop selling company products.

— by Liu Kun-hao

Trusted Stays
To support quality and consistency, the Tourism Administration (TA) launched the Taiwan Host mark in 2011, combining training such as overview of homestay regulations and sustainability policies; key strategies for enhancing accommodation service quality and customer complaint management; inspections; and ongoing review to bring structure to an industry built on personal exchange. “A friendly host is just one part of a good experience,” Lai said. “Hospitality must also be supported by clearly defined standards.” Industry participation begins with legal compliance. Properties must meet minimum scores across categories such as space, environment, service and sustainability, as well as fully comply with essential requirements including fire safety and insurance coverage. Guest rooms, bathrooms and emergency preparedness protocols are all verified in on-site inspections.

Only formally registered properties are eligible. First-time applicants must complete the required training before undergoing evaluation, while certified operators must renew their credentials every three years. Further training centers on online marketing, experience-driven promotion, brand identity and distinctive experience design, reinforcing the idea that hosting is a professional skill that evolves over time.

The application process is thorough. Operators submit documentation detailing facilities, services and responsibilities such as hygiene and sanitation standards, along with proof of registration with the local government and completed training by the TA. These materials are reviewed by both the TA and local governments before inspectors are sent out. Two evaluators assess each property using Taiwan Host annual selection criteria that consists of the building and accommodation environment; reservation and guest reception services; information, food and beverage services; sustainability; as well as safety and security, ensuring that written commitments align with guest experience. Facilities remain subject to random inspection, and credentials lapse if renewal training is not completed on time. Violations or guest complaints can result in removal from the official list. Use of the Taiwan Host mark is strictly regulated and permitted only during the valid certification periods. As a result, the designation has become a trusted reference for travelers, signaling professional accountability rather than a specific style or price point.

Living Heritage
The TRAA maintains industry standards in the face of regulations, workforce realities and changing travel habits. Lai described themed accommodation as a long-term response to visitors increasingly looking to experience Taiwan through the lens of community, people and history. An example comes from Pingtung County, where Kuo You-chieh (郭宥婕), a TRAA member and head of the Pingtung Tourism Revitalization Association, owns three former military dependents’ village houses that she has carefully refurbished into comfortable accommodation. The properties are in Victory New Village, Pingtung’s largest and most complete cluster of preserved Japanese-era (1895-1945) military officer residences. Kuo preserved the original layouts and character, allowing guests to experience what everyday life in the village felt like. Kuo invested more than NT$2.5 million (US$ 79,059) in renovations that took nearly a year to complete. “Many elements of the aging structures needed careful upgrading to meet modern safety standards,” she said. The result is an immersive stay replete with nostalgia. The homestays attract elderly guests who grew up in similar villages and want to reconnect with childhood memories as well as tourists.

In Tainan City’s Gueidan Village, Lai Chin-rui (賴金瑞) offers a timber-built retreat centered on hot springs drawn from the Gueidan River. The scent of camphor and cedar is an intrinsic part of the experience and locally sourced furnishings and a tranquil rural setting invite guests to slow down and settle into the surrounding environment. In addition to offering hospitality, the facility collaborates with the Institute of Hot Spring Industry at Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science to study water quality, facility planning, recreational management and wellness applications. Integrating research into daily operations has helped attract repeat domestic guests and international travelers alike.

Tailored Experiences
“Taiwan Host properties differ from hotels because they’re gateways to local life,” the TRAA’s Lai explained. While some hosts may share meals or stories with guests, visitors can also opt for independent activities. Properties range from self-check-in units popular with backpackers to whole-of-property rentals designed for families or groups. This flexibility has supported Taiwan’s growing international engagement. Through overseas exchanges and study visits, including the recent tourism industry event “Always Welcome, Always Taiwan–Island Vision: Taiwan-Malaysia Tourism Showcase” from September 25 to 30, 2025, in Malaysia, the TRAA has introduced Taiwanese accommodation to more than 40 international policymakers, travel agencies and accommodation operators. Phoebe Yeh (葉非比), former ambassador to Malaysia, also attended the event. By integrating business matchmaking, curated exhibitions and on-site visits by industry players from both sides, a new chapter in Taiwan-Malaysia tourism cooperation opened. Event discussions focused on developing in-depth travel products, connecting stays with local culture and sharing Taiwan’s experience in small-scale hospitality.

Visits to historic properties renovated as tourist accommodation, traditional cultural transformation projects and agricultural-ecological experience programs gave participants a deeper appreciation for local revitalization and community-driven economic development. Taiwanese operators attending the event gained insight into multicultural reception, Muslim-friendly environments and regional tourism development. Lai said the industry must continue to think globally while remaining firmly based in local identity. “By engaging with the world, Taiwanese homestays continue to grow in an increasingly interconnected travel market,” she said.

Write to Krakias Kai at kwhuang@mofa.gov.tw

President Lai speaks on national fiscal policy

President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) delivered a recorded address Dec. 15 following a discussion on national policy with government branch leaders, in which he emphaized fiscal discipline and defense of the constitutional order. He said the heads of the Executive, Legislative and Examination Yuans were invited to the Presidential Office to discuss the central government’s position on next year’s general budget and related topics. The president also announced that he supports Premier Cho Jung-tai’s (卓榮泰) decision not to countersign the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures in accordance with the authority granted by Article 37 of the Constitution, as the act could force the central government to borrow up to NT$563.8 billion (US$17.8 billion) next year. This would violate the ceiling stipulated in the Public Debt Act.

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The New York Times interviews Lai

President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) described Taiwan-U.S. relations as rock solid during an online interview aired Dec. 4 with Andrew Ross Sorkin, host of The New York Times’ DealBook Summit. Among the issues discussed were cross-strait relations, national defense, semiconductors, the Taiwan-U.S. relationship and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The president said that China’s military drills are increasing in frequency and intensity, citing this escalation as a reason for his recent announcement of a special defense budget of US$40 billion. Lai also thanked G7 members, Japanese political leaders and U.S. President Donald Trump for reiterating the importance of Taiwan Strait peace. In response to Trump’s goal of producing more chips in the U.S. with assistance from Taiwan, the president noted that Taiwan is supportive of domestic enterprises expanding operations in Europe, Japan, the U.S. or anywhere else to facilitate international progress and prosperity.

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Contributions to integrated diplomacy lauded by foreign minister

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) hosted an event Dec. 22 in Taipei City thanking those from all walks of life who have worked with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs toward peace and prosperity throughout the world. The event was attended by Deputy Health and Welfare Minister Lue Jen-der (呂建德), ambassadors-at-large and advisors to the MOFA, among others. Lin said Taiwan continues to show the world that it is a reliable partner through public-private cooperation. The minister noted he had visited 11 allies and toured like-minded partners around the world since taking office. Lue said the medical and health diplomacy advisory group established in July facilitates work with the international community by taking advantage of Taiwan’s strengths in medical technology and epidemic prevention.

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Taiwan, EU deepen trade ties

Economic Affairs Minister Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫) co-hosted the Taiwan-European Union Trade and Investment Dialogue with Sabine Weyand, head of the EU Directorate-General for Trade and Economic Security, Dec. 12 in Brussels. The Ministry of Economic Affairs said that the meeting centered on economic security, semiconductor supply chain resilience, trade-related climate measures and the global overcapacity of steel. Kung shared recent measures undertaken by Taiwan to improve the manufacturing and technology sectors, including the establishment of overseas trade and investment centers to provide domestic businesses with opportunities to deepen industry links with major economic partners and reinforce Taiwan’s global strategic role. According to the MOEA, the EU is Taiwan’s fourth largest trading partner, with total bilateral trade exceeding US$68.7 billion in 2024. The EU is Taiwan’s largest source of foreign investment, investing US$59.5 billion in the country between 1952 and 2024.

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Taiwan, Japan ink pact on digital trade cooperation

Taiwan and Japan concluded a digital trade cooperation agreement Dec. 4 in Taipei City, highlighting government commitment to a free, open and safe digital trade environment. Signed by Su Jia-chyuan (蘇嘉全), chair of the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association, and Shuzo Sumi, chair of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, the document was based on the Taiwan-Japan Arrangement for Mutual Cooperation on Electronic Commerce in 2013. The current agreement includes more comprehensive regulations spanning duty-free cross-border electronic transmission, paperless trade, personal data and privacy protection, network security, and online consumer protection. According to the Executive Yuan, the agreement emphasizes protecting companies’ source codes and encrypted information to enable them to create secure businesses. The mutual recognition of electronic signatures further validates electronic documents for enterprises. This simplifies customs clearance, reducing costs and shortening times for import and export.

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Artificial Intelligence Fundamental Act passes

The Legislative Yuan passed the Artificial Intelligence Fundamental Act Dec. 23, marking a milestone in government AI innovation. According to the Ministry of Digital Affairs, the legislation provides a legal foundation for safeguarding cultural values, enhancing global competitiveness and ensuring ethical AI applications. The legislation was drafted by the National Science and Technology Council in 2024, with public notice given July 15. The ministry took over the work this year and introduced a risk classification framework, attended public hearings and reviewed meetings organized by lawmakers. The legislation outlines seven core principles: sustainability, human autonomy, privacy protection and data governance, safety, transparency, fairness, and accountability. The ministry said it will serve as a cross-agency integration platform and leverage Taiwan’s semiconductor advantage to create a people-centered AI ecosystem.

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Taiwan makes donation to APEC

Taiwan signed a memorandum of understanding on the donation of US$650,000 to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Secretariat Dec. 11 in Shenzhen, China, underscoring government commitment to advancing regional development. It was signed by Jonathan C. Y. Sun (孫儉元), director general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department of International Organizations, on behalf of the government and APEC Secretariat Executive Director Eduardo Pedrosa. Sun said that Taiwan has made significant contributions since joining APEC in 1991 and added that the country will continue to work with fellow member economies to enhance regional prosperity. In response, Pedrosa said that Taiwan’s contributions and participation have helped the secretariat advance its work and benefited people throughout the Asia-Pacific through capacity building. The donation will be allocated to the Human Security Sub-Fund, the Women and the Economy Sub-Fund, and the Policy Support Unit.

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MOFA to broadcast Taipei 101 New Year’s Eve fireworks

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will provide satellite broadcast information for the 2025-2026 Taipei 101 New Year’s Eve fireworks event to international television networks and online media. According to the MOFA, this year marks a musical first: In collaboration with the Taipei Music Center, compositions selected from a competition have been integrated into the firework design, enhancing the overall narrative and visual experience of the show with a synchronized sound and light display. Highlights from the display will be edited and uploaded to the publicly available MOFA Trending Taiwan YouTube channel.

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Winners of Taiwan-France scientific award honored in Paris

The winners of the 2025 Franco-Taiwanese Scientific Grand Prize were honored Nov. 27 in Paris for their groundbreaking research on yeast evolution and genetic variation. According to the National Science and Technology Council, the award went to Jason I-sheng Tsai (蔡怡陞), a research fellow at Taipei City-based Academia Sinica’s Biodiversity Research Center, and Gianni Liti, a senior researcher and head of the Population Genomics and Complex Traits group at Nice-based Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging. The award was presented by NSTC Deputy Minister Chen Bing-yu (陳炳宇) and Francis-André Wollman, deputy head of international collaboration of the French Academy of Sciences, at a ceremony held at the Fondation Simone et Cino Del Duca. According to the NSTC, the biologists’ findings will inspire further study of ecological genomics, sustainable biotechnology and other related disciplines.

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Formosat-8’s first satellite makes orbit

The first satellite in Taiwan’s domestically produced Formosat-8 constellation was successfully launched from California Nov. 29, according to the National Science and Technology Council. The satellite, FS-8A, is one of eight high-resolution optical remote-sensing satellites in the constellation. According to Taiwan Space Agency Director General Wu Jong-shinn (吳宗信), the satellite communicated with mission control at 10:42 a.m. for 12 minutes and reported that the operation of its onboard computer, power system and position control was nominal. President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said in a recorded video released ahead of the launch that Formosat-8 aligns with the national development plan proposed during his inauguration speech, adding that the constellation will enable land use planning, agricultural monitoring, disaster response coordination and environmental protection to strengthen national security and help Taiwan address challenges.

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Tourism Administration offers teahouse with views in London

The Taiwan Pavilion at the 2025 World Travel Market London promoted the country as a top travel destination, the Tourism Administration said Nov. 10. The TA produced a pavilion featuring a teahouse decorated with elements of the popular Alishan forest railway to highlight the country’s spectacular natural beauty. According to the administration, the U.K. is a leading source of European visitors to Taiwan, recording 46,174 arrivals for the first seven months of this year. The administration is responding to the increasing global emphasis on low-carbon and green tourism to market Taiwan as a sustainable travel destination, the agency added. The pavilion also included art and craft exhibitions, beverage tastings, activities and musical performances.

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Taiwanese modern art exhibition underway in Hungary

A modern art exhibition is underway until March 29, 2026, in Budapest, Hungary, underscoring Taiwan’s vibrant artistic landscape. Organized by the Cultural Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, Prague with support from the Ministry of Culture, Taipei City-based Museum of Contemporary Art and host institution the Ludwig Museum, the exhibition “Before the Storm: Taiwan on the Frontier of Past and Future” features works by 22 Taiwanese artists. The lineup spans animations, installations, interactive works and videos, in addition to pieces produced through ancient techniques and paper-, paint- and sculpture-based forms, the MOC said, adding that the artworks explore Indigenous cultural heritage, the lasting impact of colonization, Taiwan’s turbulent and often traumatic history around the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the evolution of modern Taiwanese identity and values, and the technology-driven society of today and the future

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Exhibit of NPM pieces opens in France

Works from the collection of Taiwan’s National Palace Museum are being shown at the Jacques Chirac Museum of Branly Quay in Paris starting Nov. 18 as part of the Taiwan Culture in Europe 2025 initiative. Running until March 1, 2026, the exhibit, entitled “Dragons,” brings together items from the first depictions of the mythical creature on jade and antique bronzes to the most popular modern forms. NPM Director Hsiao Tsung-huang (蕭宗煌), Deputy Director Yu Pei-chin (余佩瑾) and Hsiao’s counterpart Emmanuel Kasarhérou opened the exhibition. Speaking at the event, Hsiao said the NPM has been cooperating with French museums since 1990 and expressed appreciation for exceptional support from the host museum and other participating institutions.

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MOC unveils winners of 29th Taiwan-France Cultural Award

Wu Hsi-deh (吳錫德) from Taiwan and Victor Louzon from France are the winners of the 29th Taiwan-France Cultural Award, the Ministry of Culture announced Nov. 18. According to the MOC, Wu is an honorary professor at Tamkang University who has dedicated nearly four decades to teaching and academic service. He received the Order of Academic Palms from France in 2016 for contributions to French language education and cultural exchanges. An assistant professor of history at Sorbonne University, Louzon focuses on the transformation of political power in Taiwan in 1945. In 2023 he published “The Embrace of the Fatherland,” a monograph on the February 28 incident.

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Taiwanese Oscar nominees shine in Los Angeles

Taiwanese films competing for the 98th Academy Awards were screened in Los Angeles Nov. 11-20, rasing their profiles in the lead-up to the competition. Organized by the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA), the Focus on Taiwan event screened “Left-Handed Girl,” “Side A: A Summer Day” and “From Island to Island” during the Nov. 11-20 Asian World Film Festival. The latter two were also screened at American Cinematheque Nov. 16. TAICCA Chair Sue Wang (王時思) said the AWFF allowed Taiwanese films to demonstrate their creativity to industry professionals in North America, adding that the collaboration with the AC further underscored their distinctive strengths and award-winning potential. A series of post-screening events were also held to bring together Academy members, film critics, filmmakers and industry professionals for in-depth exchanges, the TAICCA said.

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Photos: Presidential Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Culture, Taipei 101, National Science and Technology Council, National Palace Museum, Tourism Administration.

Increased awareness of environmentally friendly leisure invites a wider demographic to national parks.
 

In 2022 the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) celebrated the 50th ­anniversary of the National Park Law, which was promulgated in 1972 to set aside space to protect the ­country’s natural environments, ­wildlife habitats and historic sites for public ­recreation and scientific research. A year later the National Park Service (NPS) was elevated from its previous status as a unit under the MOI’s construction planning agency and charged with the management of national parks around the country at ­scenic spots such as Kenting, Taijiang and Yangmingshan, along with the marine national parks of South Penghu and Dongsha Atoll. The NPS is also responsible for Shoushan National Nature Park in Kaohsiung City, as well as sites covered by the Wetland Conservation Act of 2013 and Coastal Zone Management Act of 2015.

The NPS oversees locations that range across Taiwan’s 36,000-square-kilometer landmass and welcome 19.7 million visitors annually. “The diverse environments, from alpine regions to coastal and marine areas, boast rich ­ecotourism resources and are key to the country’s sustainable development,” NPS Director General Wang Cheng-gi (王成機) said, emphasizing work to publicize ­national parks at home and abroad. Yushan National Park, named for the country’s highest mountain contained within its ­borders, is the largest of the ­assets. Yushan, Shei-Pa and Taroko contain nearly 60 ­percent of Taiwan’s peaks over 3,000 meters. Each year around 250,000 ­visitors apply for ­permits to ­access protected areas of the three parks, ­demonstrating the strong appeal of ­rugged mountains and sweeping views. In 2025 the NPS expanded a centralized mountain permit mobile app featuring emergency signal broadcasting, offline maps and ­real-time condition updates from Shei-Pa to include both Yushan and Taroko national parks.

The mountainous areas are home to world-class trekking and climbing in a biodiverse terrain that offers a fascinating journey from a tropical to snowy alpine climate. Since 2019 the NPS has worked to build or refurbish cabins and hiking trails to strike a balance between conservation targets and responsible enjoyment of Taiwan’s natural wonders as part of the government’s move to lift restrictions on public access to mountain and forest ­areas. Wang noted that the NPS currently operates around 40 mountain huts, most of which have been furnished with solar panels and generators.

Active Engagement

The NPS has a slate of events planned for 2026 including marathons expected to draw runners from around the world, as well as an international forum for travel agencies ­focused on low-carbon tourism. “We’ll lead agency representatives along several routes we’ve arranged in the mountains, wetlands, coasts and marine environments,” Wang said. “We anticipate seeing a bump in tourism at those sites as travel agents spread the word.” A similar ongoing domestic program invites ­government officials and academics, as well as local tourism development group representatives and travel ­agencies, to help select 10 routes in and near ­national parks. One itinerary is a two-day trip by electric bike through scenic spots, hiking trails and Indigenous Bunun ­communities in the Nanan area of Yushan in Hualien County.

Close engagement with local communities is crucial to the management of national park tourism. The NPS environmental interpretation projects at parks like Yushan and Yangmingshan ­include courses to qualify local residents as ­community guides, leveraging their ­cultural and ­historical connections with landscape, wildlife and plants in the area. “They can help fold knowledge of conservation and environmental ethics into leisure activities,” Wang said. “It’s a natural way for visitors to become part of a broader ­campaign for ecological sustainability.”

The training of community tour guides from 2022 to 2023 was at the core of the ongoing ecotour project in Ankang, a community in New Taipei City’s Sanzhi District. According to Hsu Tzu-chi (徐子麒), chief of Yangmingshan National Park Headquarters’ Recreation Service Section, the project came about through linking the section with the Ankang community development ­association. The initiative began in 2020 with field surveys of local flora and fauna, ­characteristic landscapes and over two ­centuries of settlement stories from the Hakka ­community of around 210 ­households. In 2024 more than 80 people joined nine one-day trips to Ankang to hike along a 2.4-kilometer historical trail ending at a refreshing ­waterfall, taste ­specialty dishes, explore heritage buildings and savor the ­hands-on experience of ­traditional ­agriculture and crafts using locally acquired materials like native dye plants and bamboo.
 

For Hsu the tour package reflected decadeslong public-private cooperation in community regeneration and regional revitalization. “It was also intended to attract young people to move back to Ankang,” he said. After a temporary halt due to Typhoon Krathon’s destructive landfall in October 2024, the program’s return later this year will be aided by a more frequent bus service. Eastern Taiwan’s Taroko National Park, which was dealt its own natural disaster in the form of a devastating earthquake in April 2024, has seen similar ecotour arrangements in collaboration with Indigenous Truku communities since October 2025.

Reaching Out

Kenting National Park, the first ­national park established in Taiwan in 1982, launched an eco-friendly agriculture promotion program in 2019. The park committed to providing local farmers with subsidies for biological pest control as well as organic and traceable certification. In Tainan City’s Taijiang National Park a similar move to incorporate ­conservation into economic activities is taking place as a result of the popularity of Sicao Wetlands and Zengwen Estuary Wetlands with birders keen on seeing black-faced spoonbills throughout the winter. The park has signed agreements with owners of nearby commercial fishing ponds to cultivate foraging habitats for the ­endangered birds.
 

Wang noted that outlying islands also benefit from sensitive use of ­existing ­resources. On Dongjiyu, one of four South Penghu Marine National Park ­islands, the park administration has helped ­refurbish and convert several ­private vacant buildings into homestays. “We adopted a similar approach as at Kinmen National Park, where dozens of old ­buildings and heritage structures were turned into homestays or repurposed for public use,” he said, adding that a popular summer boat trip departs from Tainan to the Penghu Islands, which are part of the Columnar Basalt Nature Reserve.

Cultural and natural beauty in Taiwan’s national parks has won international recognition. Yangmingshan was awarded the world’s first Urban Quiet Park status in 2020 by Quiet Parks International. The quiet certification was also granted to wilderness parks and trails including the Cueifong Lake Circular Trail in Yilan County, the largest high altitude lake in Taiwan. The NPS is committed to striking a sustainable balance between conservation and leisure use by closely monitoring environmental changes and tourist facility uptake, a task now augmented by remote sensing techniques and drone surveys. “The national parks are a window into Taiwan’s ecology, and its health is visible both to our own local visitors and those from across the world,” Wang said.

Write to Pat Gao at cjkao@mofa.gov.tw

Basic Instincts
In Taiwan detection dogs are primarily trained to search for and rescue survivors trapped beneath rubble as a core component of the national disaster response system, as well as to sniff out pathogens, drugs and illegal food at borders to deter economic, public health and security threats. In 2025 around 300 such animals were on duty nationwide.

Receiving international assistance after major seismic events such as the magnitude 7.3 earthquake of Sept. 21, 1999, reshaped national approaches to preparedness and led to recognition of the need for canine response teams. In 2001 amendments were passed that allowed for the integration of search and rescue dogs into National Fire Agency response planning. In Australia, Belgium, Pakistan, the Netherlands and the U.S., search and rescue dog teams are also formally integrated into national government agencies. Such canines are trained in two specializations: searching rubble to locate survivors trapped beneath collapsed structures and following human scent and disturbed vegetation through urban and wilderness environments. Canine agility and olfactory sense enable them to operate where human intervention is limited, making dogs indispensable during the critical first hours of a disaster or disappearance.

National Fire Agency dog handler Kao Chien-tai (高健泰) noted that search and rescue canine team training takes place through several private working dog associations, one of which is the Taiwan Detection Dog Association (TDDA). Originally formed by a small group of enthusiasts, it operates as a free resource platform with formal cooperation through agreements with government bodies. The TDDA is supported by professionals and volunteers and trains animals for around two years before pairing them with handlers from police units or the National Fire Agency. Chou Tsung-chi (周聰吉), chair of the TDDA, explained that through training, international collaboration and field deployment, the association has expanded canine assistance capacity, underscored by TDDA dogs placing fifth at the 2025 IRO World Championship held in Czechia. Canine teams have also been deployed internationally, including following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck southeastern Türkiye on February 6, 2023, demonstrating Taiwan’s readiness to contribute to international rescues.

Border Patrol
At international air and marine ports, risks arrive hidden in luggage, parcels and cargo, making denial of entry to harmful substances an important task. When sniffer dogs succeed, nothing happens, but failure can cause long-term harm to agriculture, ecosystems and society. In October 2002 three teams of dogs trained in Hawaii officially began detection duties at Taoyuan and Kaohsiung International Airports. Due to their success, in 2003 National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST) was commissioned by the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine to set up a detector dog training center. The next year the bureau officially launched a development plan for nationwide border and port control encompassing the management of dog handlers, the care and management of the dogs, and promotional activities. The project included continuous on-the-job training of at least one day a week on newly added target items, prioritizing agricultural and livestock products frequently carried by inbound travelers, including meat, poultry, fruit and vegetables. These items can lead to outbreaks of diseases such as avian influenza, as well as fruit flies and other pest insects. The dog teams were gradually expanded to offer surveillance at international air and marine cargo ports and postal and express delivery warehousing, in addition to duties checking all incoming international passenger flights.

The success of the program is apparent in the monthly bulletin from Taoyuan International Airport’s quarantine detector dog team. Their results for October 2025 include 3,821 flights checked and 660 illegal items weighing a total 241.52 kilograms discovered, of which 33.15 kilograms were animal products and 208.37 kilograms were plant products. There are now 56 teams patrolling nationwide. In 2023 the bureau was renamed the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency (APHIA) and continued to invest in canine detection training. Wang Chia-yin (王嘉瑩), a dog trainer with almost two decades of experience, explained that training is updated as scent libraries add items to reflect emerging risks. “An experienced dog can detect close to 100 categories of scent,” she said. “Beagles, with their friendly appearance, are often chosen for work in public areas due to their intelligence, resilience in high-noise environments and excellent sense of smell.”

The APHIA training, which takes place at various locations for potential canine handlers, includes two selection exams. The written component checks knowledge of animal and plant health inspection and quarantine operations, as well as understanding of canine physiology and ability, while an oral exam includes situational response tests and questions from an interview panel. If successful, candidates then attend a 10-12 week quarantine dog handler training program. After passing assessment with an assigned detector dog, they must complete a three-month probationary period before taking formal employment. Handlers’ responsibilities include daily care, ongoing training and dog welfare management.

Quarantine dogs act as ambassadors for border safety and participate in educational outreach activities in schools and official demonstrations, informing the public about the risks of bringing foreign biohazards to Taiwan. Dogs retired from search and rescue, drug detection and other duties can continue in service with training at NPUST’s Assistance Dog Training Center to become social care dogs for community activity centers, where they will accompany seniors in playing games, or education assistance dogs to encourage elementary, junior high and senior high school students with learning difficulties.
 

Write to Krakias Kai at kwhuang@mofa.gov.tw

Diversifying diets for residents in the Marshall Islands, Palau and Tuvalu is a priority as they are nations on the front line of climate change, affected by issues such as highly saline water, which impairs vegetable and fruit production. This challenge results in a high ratio of expensive imported produce and poor health outcomes due to diet imbalances, including frequent incidence of chronic illness like diabetes and heart disease. Taiwan missions offered technical help in addressing the issues through low-water vegetable and fruit farms in schools and communities, with the fresh produce used for student lunches, in addition to undertaking nutrition education and cooking classes based around fresh vegetables. In Marshall Islands the Enhancing Nutrition Balance Through Agricultural Production Project was initiated by the TTM in 2021 and will run until 2029. Seedlings and cultivation methods from Taiwan have enabled locals to grow food in their yards, improving general health and even resulting in sales of surplus produce.

The Princess Margaret Hospital in Funafuti, Tuvalu, is a TTM success story for its creation of a farm on the premises in 2020 that provides a stable supply of vegetables to its patients. Several other such farms were developed around the country with help from the TTM, with such strong results that in 2025 the EU decided to work with the mission to upgrade Tuvalu’s agriculture: EU funding and advanced Taiwanese technology worked in tandem to establish a vertical hydroponic pipe system, a smart irrigation network and an egg production facility.

Valued Networks
For decades TaiwanICDF has introduced agricultural techniques proven effective at home to partner countries, Hsieh noted, but in recent years it has become increasingly involved in establishing agricultural value chains as well. “In order to improve financial returns on agricultural products, we now help with post-harvest processing, packaging, logistics and marketing,” she explained.

Hsieh cited a project that enhances the efficiency of the production-distribution fruit and vegetable supply chain in Taiwan ally St. Lucia. Previously farmers were constrained by only selling produce at traditional markets, while supermarkets and hotels imported their fresh food requirements, a substantial volume in a nation with a large and valuable tourism industry. The TTM aimed to incorporate local vegetable and fruit growers into high-end buyers’ supply chains to achieve a degree of import substitution. Implemented from 2018 to 2026 in two phases, the mission shared cultivation technology, provided training on the use of small farm machinery, advised on packaging techniques and helped analyze market demand for produce. The mission also organized processing, marketing, traceability systems and good agricultural practice workshops to ensure both sustainable and safe produce. It arranged farm visits by supermarket and hotel representatives as well as negotiations between sellers and buyers. The project achieved an increase in the share of domestically grown vegetables and fruit at supermarkets and in hotels in St. Lucia by the end of its first phase in 2021.

Improved Resilience
Climate change is a challenge facing food producers worldwide and TaiwanICDF works hard to offer solutions. In Somaliland, which is affected by water shortages, TaiwanICDF has introduced drip irrigation systems, an efficient method that delivers water slowly and directly to plant roots via a network of pipes to minimize evaporation. TaiwanICDF is working with the International Rice Research Institute headquartered in the Philippines on low-carbon emission cultivation in major rice-growing nations in Southeast Asia. Such methods include alternative wetting and drying. Traditional Southeast Asian farming practices use electric pumps to flood rice paddies all year round, consuming fossil fuel and leading to the growth of methane-producing organisms and additional carbon dioxide. The alternative method helps cut emissions by using less water, pumping for shorter periods and creating an environment less favorable to methane. Farmers are also dissuaded from burning off rice straw left after harvest to reduce the amount of carbon and other pollutants released into the air. They are now advised to cut the straw and leave it to decay in the fields or to collect and use the straw.

In the Philippines, which historically suffers from typhoons, rainfall is becoming more frequent and severe with climate change. In 2021 the TTM advised on construction of steel structure greenhouses, advanced net shelters and newly designed irrigation systems at a demonstration site opened in mid-December 2023 in Luzon Island’s Tarlac province. The protective measures proved effective in the face of severe weather, significantly reducing crop losses directly caused by heavy rainfall and inhibiting the growth of pests induced by high moisture combined with high temperatures. “This is the best Christmas gift from Taiwan to the people of Tarlac,” said then-governor Susan Yap. The climate event-resistant solution, combined with a smart farming Internet of Things and automated equipment, raised producers’ incomes by at least 15 percent and is being replicated at three clusters in central Luzon. “Taiwan’s mature techniques and cutting-edge information and communications technology are valuable diplomatic assets,” Hsieh noted. “The solid technical strengths Taiwan leverages in development projects create positive relations with allies and like-minded countries. The TTMs embody how Taiwan implements values-based diplomacy and assumes a responsible role in the global community, where Taiwan both helps and leads.”

Write to Oscar Chung at mhchung@mofa.gov.tw

Taiwan has been named readers’ favorite adventure destination for the past three years by U.S. online travel publication Trazee Travel, underscoring the country’s growing appeal to global travelers. Taipei City ranked 11th—and third in Asia—on Euromonitor International’s list of the world’s top 100 urban destinations for 2025. Taiwan also placed fourth among non–Organisation of Islamic Cooperation destinations in the 2025 Global Muslim Travel Index, reflecting its expanding inclusivity.

The Tourism Administration (TA) reports that Taiwan welcomed about 8.57 million international visitors in 2025, the highest annual total since 2020. Cruise tourism in particular surged, with more than 1.15 million cruise passengers arriving last year, a record partly driven by government incentives encouraging combination cruise-and-flight packages with stays in Taiwan.

To raise Taiwan’s profile overseas, the TA unveiled the refreshed tourism brand TAIWAN, Waves of Wonder in May 2024. It has also expanded the network of Taiwan Tourism Information Centers abroad to 16, including eight new offices opened over the past two years in cities such as Jakarta, Mumbai, Paris and Seattle.

Digital outreach is another pillar of Taiwan’s tourism strategy. What began as a practical response during the pandemic has evolved into a powerful way to engage overseas markets. Scenic area administrations now livestream landscapes from key destinations, offering real-time views of coastlines, mountains and open spaces. The first camera was installed by the East Coast National Scenic Area in 2020, and similar setups now broadcast from 13 national scenic areas around the country, providing international viewers with an immediate sense of Taiwan’s natural beauty and seasonal rhythms.

Latitude Advantage
Building on that momentum, at the 2025 Taipei International Travel Fair last November the government announced a new national initiative to develop tourism along Taiwan’s Tropic of Cancer corridor and southern coastal arc. The plan highlights the country’s unique geographic conditions: The Tropic of Cancer crosses near the towering Yushan Range, making Taiwan one of the few places in the world where high-altitude peaks, coastal plains and tropical ecosystems converge along the same latitude. That rare intersection offers an unusually rich diversity of landscapes from coral reefs and wetlands to forests and offshore islands within a compact travel radius.

The government is integrating resources to develop tourist areas in southern, southwestern and southeastern Taiwan, as well as the offshore county of Penghu. “Strengthening the brand images of these zones enhances the appeal of Taiwan as a tourist destination,” said TA Director-General Chen Yu-hsiu (陳玉秀).

Running from 2026 to 2029, the program brings together eight national scenic areas under the TA, along with Yushan and Kenting national parks and Pingtung County Government. Signature projects include upgrading facilities in Fenqihu, a historic mountain town and key stop on the Alishan Forest Railway; cycling routes through former salt pans turned bird habitats in Tainan City’s Beimen District; and a new visitor center at the boundary of the Eurasian and Philippine Sea plates in Yuli Township, Hualien County.

Seamless Experience
Tourism growth is increasingly supported by smart services designed to make travel easier for international visitors. According to Sarah Chien (簡瑛誼), chief of the TA’s Information Management Office, more than three-quarters of foreign visitors are independent tourists who rely heavily on on-site guidance to deepen their understanding of local culture and history.

To overcome language barriers, the administration has introduced a real-time translation system that allows tour guides to speak Mandarin while visitors receive explanations in their native languages on their mobile devices by scanning a QR code. The system supports 26 languages and was launched last August in two national scenic areas, with broader rollout planned. “A tour group may include people speaking many languages, but this system ensures everyone can share the same experience,” Chien said.

Another digital tool, the OhBear AI Assistant launched by the TA last year, provides instant travel support in Chinese, English and Japanese via text or voice. The service answers questions about transportation and weather, highlights upcoming festivals and outdoor events, and creates customized itineraries based on travelers’ schedules, interests and preferences.

Responsible Travel
Sustainability has become a defining pillar of Taiwan’s tourism strategy. Since 2016 Taiwan has participated in the Green Destinations Top 100 Story Awards organized by the Netherlands-based Green Destinations Foundation. Last year nine Taiwanese sites received recognition for environmentally friendly practices, including coral reef conservation in Penghu and butterfly habitat protection in Kaohsiung City’s Maolin District. The Tainan and Taichung city governments have also been honored for revitalizing historic houses and restoring Indigenous hunting trails through ecological engineering, respectively.

These projects align closely with public sentiment. A survey by the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research found that more than 90 percent of Taiwanese people are willing to pay more for environmentally responsible travel options. Chen said the government is encouraging tourism businesses from hotels and restaurants to travel agencies to obtain sustainability certifications from organizations such as the Global Sustainable Tourism Council or Taiwan’s Ministry of Environment.

To support that transition, the TA hosted training sessions last November to help accommodation operators calculate and manage carbon emissions in line with international standards. Participants were introduced to the Hotel Carbon Measurement Initiative, a framework developed by the U.K.-based Sustainable Hospitality Alliance and World Travel and Tourism Council that is widely used by major global hotel brands. “Promoting responsible travel not only helps address climate change but also delivers tangible economic benefits,” said Lee Chi-yuen (李奇嶽), chair of the Tourism Innovation Association of Taiwan (TIATW). As companies worldwide increasingly seek low-carbon options for incentive travel, corporate retreats and offsite meetings, Lee believes Taiwan is well positioned to meet that demand.

Lee’s career coincides with growing public awareness of climate change and extreme weather events, and his commitment to sustainability has grown steadily. That awareness shapes his work with TIATW, where he has helped advance ecotourism and low-carbon travel design. In recent years, the association has developed detailed low-carbon itineraries that prioritize electric vehicles, locally sourced food and efficient travel routes. Any remaining emissions are offset through carbon credits purchased from the Switzerland-based Gold Standard Foundation.

Taiwan’s first low-carbon itinerary launched in 2023 in Chishang Township, Taitung County, with emissions calculated across accommodation, food and beverage, transportation, and activities. A second itinerary in the Sun Moon Lake area followed, commissioned by the TA. To date, nine low-carbon itineraries have been released, including three announced in Tainan last December, with six more in development across Tainan and Miaoli County.

In 2025 the Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy launched the Taiwan Sustainable Tourism Awards, honoring businesses, government agencies and four individuals, including Lee, for advancing sustainable travel practices. The initiative underscores Taiwan’s steady progress in low-carbon tourism. “Taiwan has always been an exceptional destination, rich in cultural and natural assets,” Lee said. “It’s now also ready to welcome travelers who care deeply about sustainability.”

Write to Oscar Chung at mhchung@mofa.gov.tw

The quality and diversity of Taiwanese fruit are due as much to dedicated farmers and MOA research units as to the fertile soil and accommodating climate. Taking pineapples as an example, breeding programs around the country have yielded 18 varieties with distinct taste and texture profiles, the most popular of which is Golden Diamond. It was developed by the MOA’s Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute at its Chiayi Agricultural Experiment Branch and is juicy and delicate in texture. Golden Diamond tops the list of Taiwanese fruits exported to Japan, which is currently Taiwan’s top export market for fruit.

Sweet Success

Founded in 1939, the Fengshan Tropical Horticultural Experiment Branch (FTHEB) in the southern city of Kaohsiung is a major institution committed to improving fruit quality. Its department of tropical fruit trees focuses on research into varieties of 10 fruits. “We improve breeding and cultivation techniques to reach our quality goals,” said Lee Wen-li (李文立), branch director. “Growers around the country share their farming experience and inform us of challenges, which helps us refine our targets.”

Notable successes include a wax apple cultivar named Sugar Barbie, which is crisp and juicy with an appealing flavor combination of sweet and tart. The fruit is hardy for a wax apple, making it well suited for transport to markets around the country, and its eye-catching red skin makes it popular in gift boxes. Since the FTHEB first shared Sugar Barbie with farmers 10 years ago, the variety has come to be cultivated on more than 60 hectares. The FTHEB also considers ease of cultivation, as seen in its development of techniques to shrink Yuherbao lychee trees. This move has significantly reduced the labor cost of tending the trees and picking the highly prized fruits.

Competitions are another key to progress. “Farmers are quite serious about winning since they can usually sell their harvests at a higher price. The competitions encourage farmers to innovate with an eye toward crop quality improvements,” Lee said. They have also seen success as a method of changing mindsets. For 17 years the FTHEB has held an annual dragon fruit competition, which initially considered size as a major criterion. “Farmers were producing dragon fruit as large as a child’s face,” Lee said. With the rise of one-person households and a tendency among consumers to prefer variety over consuming the same kind of fruit multiple days in a row, the institution has changed the rubric to no longer prioritize size. “Our dragon fruit farmers adapt quickly,” he said.

Delicious Diplomacy

These advances at home are creating new momentum abroad, as Taiwanese fruit gains recognition and access to markets around the world. In April 2024 an agreement allowing Taiwanese pineapple into New Zealand was reached, following similar agreements for mango and lychee in 2021 and 2023, respectively. Guava and mango received the green light for import to the EU last summer, hitting the shelves in 27 new countries.

Diversifying target countries for fruit export is essential, said Cindy Lin (林芹如), chief of the international marketing section at the MOA’s Department of International Affairs. Taiwan has long been aware of the risk of unduly focusing on a single market, a danger that was driven home in March 2021, when China, recipient of more than 80 percent of the country’s fruit exports for years, began to ban the import of Taiwanese fruit, starting with pineapple. Though the restrictions later eased, Japan took China’s place, and diversification efforts continue apace through schemes to support export-oriented fruit farms. Guided by the MOA, which advises on quarantine and packaging regulations in different countries, farms efficiently produce and prepare crops for specific markets. The total area of export-oriented farmland reached 4,410 hectares in 2024. “Farms in Taiwan are typically quite small in scale, so working together is the best way to maintain a stable supply,” Lin said.

Lin’s department has explored multiple tactics to increase demand, including awarding grants to importers and exporters who organize fruit sampling events at supermarkets in target countries and reach sales goals. On the publicity side, the MOA worked with a Japanese public relations firm to familiarize consumers with red-fleshed dragon fruit when the variety was approved for import in 2024. Japanese YouTubers made promotional clips, a popular actress discussed the health benefits and an upscale French restaurant in Tokyo publicized its use of the fruit in its dishes. Meanwhile, the ever-expanding campaign promoting Taiwanese fruit in Ibaraki has entered the seventh year. Since 2019 Taiwan-grown pineapples, mangos, bananas and pomelos have been included in the student lunches in the prefecture northeast of Tokyo with a population of 2.8 million. “This program not only strengthens ties between Taiwan and Japan, but also cultivates the interest of Japan’s younger generations in Taiwanese fruit,” Lin said.

Farther Afield

Although the perishable nature of fresh fruit means most of Taiwan’s exports stay in East Asia, the country has found other avenues to participate in global markets. According to Lee, papaya seeds and cultivation techniques have also been a productive export. “The seeds started to spread widely in Guatemala approximately 20 years ago as part of a program to stimulate the agriculture industry in the Central American ally,” he explained. More recent examples of FTHEB offering support abroad include a project launched in 2016 that helps African ally Eswatini grow papaya, guava and dragon fruit using seeds from Taiwan.

Fufruit Co., a pioneer in the development of Taiwan’s cold chain services, uses a different method to enable global access to the country’s fruit. In 2023 the company began to prepare fresh fruit for export by cutting and freezing the produce at extremely low temperatures—minus 80 degrees Celsius—using equipment purchased with government support. Fruit processed in this way can be stored for at least a year. “Our products can reach every corner of the globe whether or not they’re in season,” said Marc Chiu (邱唯誠), the company’s general manager.

Domestic sales have long accounted for the vast majority of the company’s revenue. Chiu reported that thanks to the fruit-freezing process, overseas sales have steadily grown to 15 percent of Fufruit’s total revenue. The company has since actively taken part in international food shows and is now looking forward to its European debut in 2026. “One of our major motivations was to let more people taste Taiwanese fruit,” he said. “It deserves a larger share of the world’s attention.”

Write to Oscar Chung at mhchung@mofa.gov.tw

The initiative draws inspiration from the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC), a development framework announced in 2024 and backed by the U.S., Japan and the Philippines to boost innovation, clean energy and supply-chain resilience. Taiwan sees potential synergies between its Greater Southern New Silicon Valley and northern Luzon and is assessing how TPEC could complement LEC projects and align with President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) vision of greater regional integration under the New Southbound Policy+ (NSP+), which seeks to forge digital technology, semiconductor, health, resilience, think tank, nongovernmental organization and youth corridors with countries in Southeast Asia, South Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

Complementary Strengths
The corridor strategy aims to support industrial upgrading, economic security and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific while reinforcing ties with the U.S. and Japan. As a fellow member of the first island chain with industries complementary to Taiwan’s, the Philippines is the ideal partner for the first NSP corridor. Cooperation will be rooted in already close economic and investment ties. In 2024 bilateral trade reached US$6.71 billion, with Taiwan ranking as the Philippines’ 10th-largest trade partner, eighth-largest export market and 10th-largest import source. Taiwanese investment totaled US$43.87 million in 2024, making Taiwan the 13th-largest foreign investor in the country.

According to Steve Chien (簡良達), chief supervisor at the nonprofit entrepreneurs organization Taiwan Association Inc. Philippines, Taiwan is ramping up engagement in the Philippines to create a Team Taiwan Fleet of mutually supportive industries. This approach leverages three decades of Taiwan-Philippines business experience to address gaps in the Philippine industrial ecosystem. The Philippines possesses a strong domestic market supported by, in 2024, US$106.8 billion in foreign reserves, US$38.4 billion in overseas remittances and US$38 billion in business process outsourcing and IT exports, yet an overreliance on overseas labor and the service sector limits industrial upgrading.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration is promoting manufacturing and industrial chain development through the CREATE MORE act, which encompasses tax reforms, investment promotion, industrial parks, green energy transition and technical-vocational education. International trends to mitigate dependence on China also present an opportunity for industrial growth. Chien believes remaining gaps in local industry can benefit from Taiwan’s electronics manufacturing clusters, semiconductor packaging, metal processing, industrial park expertise, renewable energy and agricultural technology. He added that bilateral partnership capitalizes on four main conditions: favorable timing amid global industrial reorganization, the two countries’ key geostrategic locations, abundant land for development in the Philippines, and a young, skilled Filipino workforce.

Challenges such as complex administrative procedures, uneven infrastructure and unfamiliar legal frameworks are mitigated through the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, local partners, business chambers and industrial park support, Chien said. Priority sectors for bilateral collaboration include industrial parks, manufacturing supply chains, agricultural upgrading, mineral processing, automotive components and defense industries. Taiwan stands as the Philippines’ closest and most reliable supply chain partner with its strong industrial capabilities and flexible production, while the Philippines offers abundant labor and access to the NSP market. Establishing an economic corridor thus represents a strategic, long-term win for both countries.

Emerging Framework
To support TPEC planning, the Executive Yuan’s Economic Diplomacy Task Force established the Taiwan-Philippines Economic Cooperation Task Force in September 2024 to coordinate interministerial resources and map potential areas of cooperation. The MOFA is also examining how a future economic corridor could fulfill the Taiwan-U.S. Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue’s goal of pursuing joint development in a third region.

As part of broader fact-finding, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) coordinated an investment and trade study delegation to the Philippines in August 2025. Organized by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines and the Manila Economic and Cultural Office in Taiwan, the mission included Deputy Agriculture Minister Huang Chao-ching (黃昭欽), Chinese International Economic Cooperation Association Chair Lyu Jye-cherng (呂桔誠), U.S.-Taiwan Business Council Vice President Lotta Danielsson, American Institute in Taiwan officials and more than 80 industry representatives. Delegates covered full supply-chain capabilities across AI, cold-chain logistics, energy, food processing, ICT, port facilities, semiconductors, smart manufacturing and tourism. These insights will help shape the eventual structure of TPEC and guide how Taiwan integrates private-sector expertise into a “team of teams” platform to support the establishment and management of end-to-end supply chains in NSP countries.

Taiwan’s Industrial Development Administration subsequently partnered with the Taipei City-based Chinese National Federation of Industries and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry to hold the ninth Taiwan-Philippines Industrial Collaboration Summit in October 2025. At the event the Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association and the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines, Inc. signed a memorandum of understanding to exchange technology and cultivate talent, strengthening semiconductor supply chain resilience amid evolving geopolitical challenges.

Port cooperation is also of critical importance, as future industrial collaboration will involve substantial cargo movement and port personnel exchanges. Taiwan’s Port of Kaohsiung and the Philippines’ Port of Subic Bay are deep-water harbors on major international shipping routes, and a Taiwanese business cluster has already developed near Subic Bay. The MOFA actively promotes  industrial convergence, notably hosting the “2025 Taiwan-Philippines Smart Port Development Forum” this December. The forum brought over 20 delegates from the Philippines to Kaohsiung and focused on areas such as smart cities, smart ports, sustainable tourism and maritime technologies. These initiatives facilitate the export of advanced Taiwanese technologies and improve shipping and logistics.

Capacity Building
Parallel to its work on industrial links, Taiwan is also reinforcing the developmental underpinnings required for the corridor to take hold. Since 2022 the International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) has deployed technical teams across the Philippines to support initiatives that dovetail with TPEC’s focus on smart agriculture and human-capital formation. A central effort is the Agri-Cluster Consolidation and Cooperation Project in Tarlac province, where TaiwanICDF and local authorities have introduced smart greenhouses, precision irrigation and digital monitoring systems designed to enhance climate resilience and raise farm productivity. Initial results point to measurable income gains among participating households, while an accompanying internship program is cultivating a cohort of young technicians capable of sustaining more technologically intensive agricultural practices.
These activities help build the talent base that future corridor cooperation will depend on. TaiwanICDF’s scholarship programs, which bring Filipino graduate students to Taiwanese universities for advanced study in agriculture and aquaculture, further strengthen this pipeline. Training courses planned for 2026, spanning AI applications in agriculture, food security and rural innovation, will deepen the technical capacities needed to support TPEC’s long-term development.

Together these initiatives are giving the corridor clearer shape and setting up future integration with a growing lattice of Indo-Pacific cooperation. TPEC offers a forward-looking framework to align agriculture, smart technologies, ports and supply-chain systems in ways that elevate the economies of both Taiwan and the Philippines and allows Taiwan to work alongside like-minded partners while advancing its own approach to integrated diplomacy. As planning advances, the two sides are poised to turn respective strengths into shared opportunity, deepening economic ties, expanding industrial linkages and building a resilient partnership that supports long-term prosperity across the region. 

Write to Krakias Kai at kwhuang@mofa.gov.tw