2847152026/06/18Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi is visiting Paraguay June 14-19 to review the progress of cooperative projects with the South American ally and discuss areas of future cooperation, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
 
During his meeting with Paraguayan Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez, Chen said the two sides enjoy a robust bond spanning nearly 70 years and have achieved great success in various cooperative projects, with two-way trade continuing to grow.
 
In addition to examining existing projects, Chen expressed hope of seeing the two sides expand cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence, higher education and smart transportation. He also thanked the Paraguayan government for its long-standing support for Taiwan in the international arena.
 
Citing the success of President Santiago Peña’s visit to Taiwan last month, Ramírez said he expected the two allies to further deepen partnership going forward, adding that his country will continue to promote the positive impact of cooperation with Taiwan on Paraguay’s national development at international forums.
 
The MOFA said Chen’s itinerary also includes visits to the site of a planned sovereign AI computing center, as well as projects in electric bus and medical information system development, Taiwan-Paraguay Polytechnic University and Taiwan-Paraguay Smart Technology Park. (SFC-E)
 
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw]]>2847142026/06/18Wu Chih-wei, director general of the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ Energy Administration, led a delegation to Canada June 6-14 to expand cooperation in low-carbon energy, according to the MOEA.
 
The group comprised delegates from the ministry’s working group promoting geothermal and hydrogen energy, as well as representatives from the academic and industrial sectors, the ministry said.
 
Wu and Rachel McCormick, director general of international affairs for the Strategic Policy and Innovation Sector at Natural Resources Canada, cohosted the 2026 Taiwan-Canada Energy Working Group Meeting June 10 in Calgary, the MOEA said, adding that discussions centered on the two major issues of geothermal energy development and the application of blue hydrogen and natural gas.
 
Apart from the forum, the delegation visited Calgary Economic Development June 9, where the delegates participated in a bilateral roundtable discussion to gain insight into Canada’s experience and technology in geothermal and hydrogen energy.
 
The delegates also called on Alberta Energy Regulator June 10 to exchange views on the formulation of geothermal and hydrogen energy laws, the ministry added.
 
Given that Canada is a major energy export country dedicated to the research and development of clean energy and carbon sequestration, the group’s visit not only cemented the Taiwan-Canada energy partnership but also laid a solid foundation for Taiwan’s green energy advancement. Taiwan will continue to deepen policy and technology exchanges with the North American country to jointly advance the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, the MOEA concluded. (POC-E)
 
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 ]]>2847112026/06/18The Group of Seven leaders’ affirmation of the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is sincerely appreciated, the Presidential Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said June 17.
 
In the G7 leaders’ statement on geopolitical issues released following their meeting June 15-17 in Evian, France, they highlighted the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific based on the rule of law. The leaders further reaffirmed their opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo, particularly by force or coercion, in the East and South China Seas and across the Taiwan Strait, adding that disputes should be resolved peacefully through dialogue.
 
According to the PO, preserving peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the region is a shared consensus of the international community and is closely tied to the common interests of countries worldwide.
 
Taiwan stands at the forefront of democratic resilience against authoritarian expansion and serves as a key pillar of global supply chain security, the PO said. As a responsible member of the regional and international community, Taiwan is committed to working with like-minded partners to strengthen defense capabilities and economic and supply chain resilience to jointly safeguard the shared values of freedom and democracy, it added.
 
The MOFA said that Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung welcomed G7 members’ continued emphasis on the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan will continue to cooperate with G7 member states and other like-minded countries to defend the rules-based international order and contribute more to regional peace, prosperity and stability, the ministry added. (YCH-E)
 
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw]]>2846732026/06/17The visit by Lucy McBath, second vice chair of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Congressional Black Caucus, and caucus member Valerie Foushee is welcomed by the government and people of Taiwan, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs June 16.
 
During their June 16-20 stay, the U.S. representatives will meet with President Lai Ching-te and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, as well as attend a banquet to be hosted by Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung. They will exchange views on issues spanning Taiwan-U.S. security, the economy, trade and regional conditions, the MOFA said.
 
According to the MOFA, McBath and Foushee have shown interest in ongoing Taiwan-U.S. cooperation spanning artificial intelligence, semiconductors, high-tech talent cultivation and human rights. As this year marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. and the 30th anniversary of Taiwan’s first direct presidential election, while June 19 also marks Juneteenth, which commemorates the emancipation of African Americans, the ministry said the timing of the representatives’ visit underscores the two sides’ shared values of freedom and respect for human rights.
 
The MOFA said Lin welcomes more friends in Congress to expand exchanges with Taiwan. Taiwan and the U.S. are important security, economic and trade partners, and the two sides continue to deepen cooperation in fields such as technology and supply chain resilience, the ministry noted, adding that Taiwan will keep strengthening its self-defense capabilities and whole-of-society resilience, advancing partnership with the U.S. and working with like-minded partners to safeguard peace, stability and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and in the Indo-Pacific.
 
Founded in 1971, the caucus focuses on issues including civil and voting rights, economic development, social welfare and judicial reform for the Black community. (YCH-E)
 
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw]]>2846842026/06/17The Cabinet-level National Development Council staged an exchange forum on regional revitalization with Japan June 12 in Taipei City, underscoring bilateral commitment to deepening development cooperation, according to the council.
 
Prominent guests from Japan included Katsumi Nemoto, chair of JTB Taiwan, and Mitsuru Ookuma, founder of Ukiha no Takara in Fukuoka prefecture, who jointly explored trends and opportunities with local teams from Taiwan, the NDC said.
 
According to NDC Minister Yeh Chun-hsien, the forum centered on transnational cooperation, intergenerational integration and cocreation, and public-private partnerships.
 
In his remarks, Yeh noted that regional revitalization is a common strategy to address demographic changes, adding that since 2014 Japan has promoted related policies to respond to issues such as the rapid population decline, aging society and resource overconcentration in big cities like Tokyo. Taiwan faces similar challenges, and local revitalization can not only help address such concerns, but also boost national resilience and sustainable development for future generations, he said.

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

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