Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu, together with colleagues, received Acting Commander of Sydney City Police Area, Superintendent Paul Dunstan.

DG Wu expressed his appreciation for the long-standing dedication of the New South Wales Police Force to maintaining public safety and their proactive assistance to the Taiwanese community. He further commended their efforts in strengthening multiculturalism and community harmony.

Ambassador Douglas Hsu attended a lecture hosted by the Taiwanese Association of Canberra, Australia, titled “Ancient Civilizations and Han Characters—The Needs of Humanity”, bringing a rich and inspiring cultural experience to the Canberra community.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Hsu warmly welcomed Ambassador Elizabeth Chu and highlighted her distinguished diplomatic career. He expressed admiration for Ambassador Chu’s continued dedication after retirement, noting her use of Confucian principles as a guiding framework and her commitment to advancing a vision of a more harmonious and peaceful world.
 

 

During the lecture, Ambassador Chu provided a clear and insightful explanation of key ideas from Confucian and Mencian philosophy, as well as the teachings of Confucius. She also illustrated the evolution of Han characters in a vivid and accessible manner. The presentation concluded with an engaging question-and-answer session, leaving the audience with numerous valuable insights.

The event reflects ongoing efforts by the Taiwanese community and Taiwan’s representative offices in Australia to promote cultural exchange, deepen understanding of Chinese heritage, and strengthen connections with local communities.

Ambassador Wallace Chow handed over USD500,000 cash donation for humanitarian assistance to MECO Chairperson Corazon Padiernos. MECO Board Member Atty. Joseph Castillo witnessed the handover.
 

On November 21, 2025, Ambassador Wallace Chow of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines (TECO), on behalf of the Government of Republic of China (Taiwan), ceremonially handed over a US$500,000 cash donation for humanitarian assistance to Chairperson Corazon Padiernos of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO). This latest contribution further strengthens Taiwan’s support for Filipino communities affected by the recent series of devastating natural disasters, including Typhoon Kalmaegi (Tino) and Super Typhoon Fung-wong (Uwan).

In his remarks, Ambassador Chow recalled how Super Typhoon Ragasa (Nando) caused a barrier lake overflow in his hometown of Hualien County last September, unleashing deadly mudflows that resulted in 20 fatalities and buried hundreds of homes. He noted that such shared experience of loss and hardship from typhoons and earthquakes enables the Taiwanese people to empathize even more deeply with the suffering currently faced by communities in the Philippines.

Ambassador Chow also emphasized that earlier this month, Taiwan donated US$250,000 worth of relief goods, including water purification equipment, blankets, tents, and solar lamps. “In the spirit of bayanihan and mutual support,” he said, Taiwan hopes that this expression of care, love, and solidarity will bring comfort and assistance to families recovering from these calamities in the Philippines. He further reaffirmed Taiwan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with the Philippines and deepening cooperation in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR).

Chairperson Padiernos echoed the spirit of bayanihan, expressing heartfelt gratitude to the Government and people of Taiwan for their consistent and swift support whenever the Philippines faces adversity. She conveyed the appreciation of the Filipino people for both the financial assistance and relief goods, stressing that all aid will be directed to those who need it most.

Also in attendance at the ceremony were Atty. Joseph Castillo, MECO Board Member, and Angeli Joyce Barafon, Head Executive Assistant of MECO.

Director General Homer Chang and Mrs. Chang with the Taiwan writers’ team and Indian literary partners
 

Director General Homer Chang and Mrs. Chang met with a team headed by writer Yang Shuang-zi, history researcher S. Patel, writer S. Swarup and Cultural Secretary Isabel Lin of Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in India on November 8. In addition to attending “Literature Live! The Mumbai Litfest 2025”, they enjoyed Parsi cuisine, visited Parsi community and exchanged views on cultural issues such as preserving minority heritage.

Commending Yang Shuang-zi for writing “Taiwan Travellogue: A Novel” and being the first Taiwanese author to be a dialogue partner at “Literature Live! The Mumbai Litfest 2025”, DG Chang also shared the significance of enriching culture through diversity and integration, which is reflected in Indian mythology “Samudramanthan” with fruitful results coming out after brainstorming.

Following the publication of “Taiwan Travellogue: A Novel ” and a memorable stay in India, it is expected that more bright highlights of Taiwanese culture will emerge in Mumbai and across western India.

Deputy Representative Mr James Buu and Mr. Abe Chou, Director of the Taiwan Tourism Administration, was invited to attend the opening ceremony of “Taiwan Five Senses 4: The Healing Journey” in Kuala Lumpur on the evening of September 26. Around 150 members of the media and travel KOLs participated, experiencing the healing charm of Taiwan tourism under the starry Kuala Lumpur sky.

It is worth noting that a 17-member delegation including Ms. Lai Shuw Wei, Chairperson of the Taiwan Rural Accommodation Association, and Mr. Yang Tsung Lin, Chairperson of the Taichung International Tourism Association, was also present at the event.

Mr. James Buu, remarked that the “Taiwan Five Senses” campaign has now entered its fourth edition. Each edition highlights a unique theme that allows Malaysian friends to discover Taiwan from different perspectives. He added that Taiwan represents more than just travel — it is a profound connection between people, land, and everyday life.

The 2025 Kuala Lumpur MATTA Travel Fair has successfully concluded. The opening ceremony was attended by the Representative of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia, Ms. Phoebe Yeh and the Director of International Affairs Division of the Tourism Administration, MOTC, Mr. Huang Yi-Chen, along with several distinguished guests. The ceremony featured a “shaker cup” symbolizing a warm invitation to visit Taiwan and enjoy a drink. Representative Yeh and Director Huang were interviewed by media, sharing insights on strategies for the Malaysian market and plans for diverse and in-depth themed tourism, hoping to continue increasing the number of visitors to Taiwan.

Coinciding with Malaysia's public holiday, the number of visitors at the fair was noticeably higher than last year. Taiwan Pavilion attracted large crowds with exciting performances and interactive activities, including Taiwan’s national cheerleading team performance, Alishan high-mountain tea tasting, Shanlan Express mini-trains DIY activity and tasting Taiwan-style egg cakes. The atmosphere was lively. During the fair, popular Muslim content creator SoyaBelacan (390,000 followers) and travel influencer Just Travel (720,000 followers) visited the Taiwan Pavilion and shared their personal experiences in Taiwan, promoting the island's natural beauty, cuisine, and welcoming travel environment.

Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Sydney (TECO) partnered for the first time with the Local Community Services Association (LCSA) to host an opening ceremony for 20 delegates from Taiwan Fund for Children and Families (TFCF).

Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu welcomed the TFCF delegation to their “home in Sydney” and commended the organization’s long-standing dedication to supporting disadvantaged children and families. He highlighted TECO’s role not only in official representation, trade, and consular services, but also in promoting cultural exchange and encouraging the Taiwanese community to give back locally. Over the past year, Taiwanese community has actively raised funds for various Australian charities, demonstrating compassion that transcends borders.

LCSA CEO Can Yasmut thanked TECO for co-hosting the event and praised the Taiwanese community’s charitable contributions, expressing confidence that the TFCF team would gain valuable insights into NSW’s child protection and family support systems. TFCF Director of Social Work, Linda Tsai, expressed gratitude for the hospitality and looked forward to applying the lessons learned during the 10-day program to enhance social service models in Taiwan?

Last year alone, Sydney’s Taiwanese community organized five major charity events benefiting local NGOs such as Mary’s House Services, The Smith Family, Ronald McDonald House Charities, and Women’s Community Shelters—showcasing Taiwan’s warmth, generosity, and love beyond its technological strengths.

Director General Homer Chang, together with his colleagues at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in Mumbai, had the honor of welcoming a 31-member delegation from Taiwan’s “International Friends of Chiang Society” on August 1, 2025. During the meeting, they engaged in discussions on key topics, including India–Taiwan relations, the current state of Mumbai, and India’s development potential. The insights and outcomes of these discussions will be shared with relevant counterparts following the delegation’s return to Taiwan.

The “International Friends of Chiang Society” upholds the principle of “fostering meaningful connections through cultural exchange and cultivating virtue through mutual respect.” The Society encourages the continuous pursuit of personal growth and the collective refinement of society through learning and collaboration. The “India Go” initiative serves as a platform for engaging with international dynamics, while exploring new avenues for future development. This visit exemplifies the dynamic and progressive nature of Taiwan’s civil society, as well as the overarching philosophy that “everyone is a diplomat.”

Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu warmly welcomed Secretary-General Chen Pin-Shan of Taiwan’s Miaoli County Government, who led the expedition team on “Renewable Energy and Industrial Development” to Sydney.

We had lively discussions on Australia’s energy transition, green energy and solar power development, and on organizing large cultural and tourism events.

Miaoli County will host the Taiwan Lantern Festival again in 2027. This trip included a visit to Vivid Sydney for inspiration. The county government aims to offer a unique experience for domestic and international visitors.

Dr. Der-Yang Cho, President of China University of Medical Sciences Hospital (CUMH), led a team to visit Ambassador Phoebe Yeh on 10 April. Dr. Cho explained that he was here to receive the CEO of the Year Award at the 2025 Healthcare Asia Awards and the implementation of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW)’s the New Southbound medical cooperation and industrial chain development program from 2022 onwards, as well as to express his gratitude to the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) and the Embassy for the support given by the CUMH.

Ambassador Phoebe Yeh welcomed the visit of CUMH and expressed her admiration for CUMH’s many years for providing international medical services in Malaysia, assisting patients with critical illnesses, and helping Malaysian medical staff to receive professional training in Taiwan, which has helped to promote professional exchanges between the medical profession in Taiwan and Malaysia.

At the Healthcare Asia Awards Ceremony held in Kuala Lumpur on the evening of 10th April, Taiwan’s healthcare system was once again recognised by the international community and received a total of 10 awards! Show Chwan Health System, China Medical University Hospital, Taipei Municipal Wanfang Hospital, and six hospitals of Chang Gung Medical Fundation (Linkou, Chiayi, Fengshan, Tucheng, Kaohsiung and Taoyuan) were each honoured with the 2025 Healthcare Asia Awards, and Dr. Der-Yang Cho, President of CUMH, was selected as the only healthcare leader in the Asia-Pacific region to receive the prestigious ‘CEO of the Year’ award. Ambassador Phoebe Yeh went to the award ceremony to congratulate and encourage Taiwan’s medical profession and hospitals for their efforts in promoting the New Southbound Direction in healthcare, which has made Taiwan’s international medical brand shine in the world. In response to the Health Care Index 2025 recently announced by Numbeo, a global database website, Taiwan has topped the list for seven consecutive years since 2019, impressing the world and proving that there are many admirable hospitals in Taiwan, which not only do not forget to care for people but also make use of intelligent medicine in the field of critical and rare diseases, and make great efforts to improve the quality of medical professions which is Taiwan’s continued effort to the advancement of quality healthcare professionals is also a strong commitment.

In March, the TalentNXT Fresh program members, led by Deputy Executive Director Yang, Hsiang-Jung of the Sayling Wen Cultural and Educational Foundation, visited Malaysia for an exchange and training activity. They visited TECO on the morning of March 7th. Deputy Representative Mr James Buu affirmed the significance of this program and encouraged the participants to cherish the opportunity to learn during this visit, expand their global perspectives, and enhance their skills to build an extraordinary future.

The Sayling Wen Cultural and Educational Foundation is committed to promoting lifelong learning and nurturing talent for future society. The TalentNXT Fresh program is run annually to help young people by strengthening their employability and soft skills, including communication, teamwork, a positive work attitude, and professional abilities.

Mayor Brown of the City of Ryde, the Council’s Executive Team and Councillors Keanu Arya, Tina Kordrostami and TECO Sydney attended a book donation ceremony this morning.

Mayor Brown said multiculturalism has been deeply rooted as the way of living in Ryde. Thanks for the generosity from Taiwan, so the Mandarin speaking communities in Ryde can enjoy the top-tier Taiwanese literature works, and the city’s diverse heritages are further enriched.

Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu said that he is also a City of Ryde Library member and honored to represent the National Taiwan Museum of Literature in donating 60 books of 2023 and 2024 Taiwan Literature Awards Finalists and Award-Winning Titles, for the very first time in history.

The Awards recognize outstanding work across all literary categories, including fiction, nonfiction, prose, poetry and also provide a window into the richness and diversity of Taiwanese society and culture. This is the pilot program that the National Museum of Taiwan Literature donates books to Australia, and we hope residents of this community can know more about Taiwan through reading them, and most importantly, enhance the connection between our two peoples.

The plan is for the books to start touring the libraries from the week commencing Monday, 9 March. The books will be available at our Ryde Library (Top Ryde) for a week, before being taken to West Ryde Library for another week, before Eastwood for the final week.

Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu had the honor once again of meeting with the 25th Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon. John Howard, OM AC, and conveyed President Lai’s New Year greetings.

PM Howard generously shared his observations on the current global affairs and DG Wu updated him about Taiwan’s political and economic newly development.

As the second-longest-serving Prime Minister in Australia’s history, having called for four federal elections during his tenure, he offered in-depth insights on the upcoming Australian federal election.

Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu and Mrs. Wu attended the grand opening of OMMI DON Chatswood, joining @Tim James MP, Shadow Minister for Small Business, Willoughby Deputy Mayor Angelo Rozos, Councillor Michelle Chuang, and Liberal candidate for Bradfield @Gisele Kapterian for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. They also took part in the traditional eye-dotting ritual, celebrating this exciting new milestone for Ommi’s.

DG Wu praised Omar’s inspiring journey—overcoming challenges and taking Ommi’s Food & Catering to new heights. His resilience embodies the spirit of Taiwan and its people, and his success is a great example of how a Taiwanese business can thrive and become an integral part of the local community. It also reflects the diversity and vibrancy of Australia’s multicultural economy.

We wish Omar and his team continued success and fulfillment in this exciting new chapter.

Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu had the honor once again of meeting with the Hon. Malcolm Turnbull AC, the 29th Prime Minister of Australia, to convey New Year greetings on behalf of the government of the ROC (Taiwan). Mr. Turnbull graciously shared his insights on the current geopolitical landscape and engaged in discussions on cross-strait issues and TW-AU relations, demonstrating his outstanding leadership and vision.