News

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) on Wednesday acknowledged recent remarks by a U.S. State Department official reaffirming strong support for Taiwan’s participation in the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), saying that Taiwan will continue strengthening cooperation with the United States to jointly promote peace and prosperity both regionally and globally.

Taiwan’s men’s gymnastics team won the team bronze medal at the last Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, in 2023, while Japan came in second, and China came in first. Head coach Lin Yu-hsin (林育信) says excellent teamwork is needed for the team to score well in all six events and surpass South Korea, the last Games’ fourth place team.

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) returned to Taiwan on Monday, September 14, after attending the Second European Conference of Ventotene for Freedom and Democracy in Italy. She said in her remarks at the airport that she was invited to attend the event by European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno and Carlo Corazza, the head of the European Parliament Liaison Office in Italy.

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) arrived on the Italian island of Ventotene to attend the second Ventotene Conference for Freedom and Democracy. European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno emphasized that no one, including China, has the right to interfere in the event.

Taiwanese test takers posted an average score of 583 on the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) in 2025, setting a new record, according to statistics released Wednesday.

South Korean e-commerce giant Coupang’s late 2025 data breach affected more than 200,000 users in Taiwan, prompting the Consumers’ Foundation, Chinese Taipei (CFCT), to urge the government to tighten cross-border data oversight and fast-track the creation of an independent Personal Data Protection Commission.

A group of Taiwanese researchers studying methods of mitigating the cross-border spread of air pollution traveled to New Delhi this week to share their experience in the field. The team arrived Monday and will spend five days at Jawaharlal Nehru University speaking with academics and experts from multiple countries with the hope of contributing to efforts to tackle air pollution.

Three giant mechanical elephants paraded through the streets of Taiwan’s capital this weekend for the opening of the 2026 Taipei Arts Festival. The spectacle, “Trois éléphants passent…,” was staged by French street theater company Compagnie Oposito and drew crowds of more than 100,000 on Saturday, September 5.

Taiwan youth groups have urged the Education Ministry to improve its New Dormitory Plan, citing stark differences in accommodation standards between newly built dormitories and aging, unrenovated ones. The call comes as freshmen move onto campuses for the fall semester, with photos of cramped, rusty, and moldy conditions circulating widely on social media.

President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said Thursday, September 3, that Taiwan’s industries must become a ‘never-setting sun,’ reaching markets around the globe no matter where or when the sun rises. He made the remarks while attending Taiwan Fertilizer Co.’s (TFC) 80th Anniversary Exhibition and unveiling a commemorative exhibition at the company’s Nangang Trade Center.

President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) announced Wednesday, September 2, that Taiwan’s defense budget for next year will exceed NT$1 trillion (US$31.45 billion) for the first time.

The Environmental Rights Foundation (ERF) and Indonesian community organizations went to the Economic Ministry this Tuesday to file Taiwan’s first complaint under the National Contact Point (NCP) mechanism, calling on the ministry to formally activate the process and facilitate dialogue between companies and affected stakeholders.

The 55th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting began in Palau, despite the absence of several heads of government. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) has also arrived in Palau and will take part in scheduled activities.

The Legislature passed its version of a controversial drone budget bill in the third reading on Thursday, August 27. The Act on Strengthening Defense Autonomy and Developing the Unmanned Vehicles Industry allocates a total of NT$240 billion (US$7.6 billion) in six annual tranches for uncrewed vehicle industry development and national defense buildup.

The Gwangju Biennale contemporary art exhibition is restoring the “Taiwan Pavilion” name following firm protests from Taiwanese and Korean officials and artists.

Taiwan’s Education Ministry hosted 34 European officials from 15 European countries for a 12-day program that combined intensive Mandarin study with visits to the island’s technology sector.

This Tuesday, the Foreign Ministry strongly rejected claims in a joint statement issued by the leaders of China and Jordan the previous day that diminish Taiwan’s sovereignty. The statement, released the same day that Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) met with Jordan’s King Abdullah II in Beijing, covered bilateral ties and regional issues, including Gaza, Iran, and the Strait of Hormuz, as well as China’s one-China principle asserting Taiwan is part of China.

Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Executive Yuan Biotechnology Industry Strategy Advisory Committee meeting on Monday, August 24, that the government is committed to accelerating policy implementation and technology adoption to expand the nation’s “industrial shield.”

The Taiwan Foundation for Democracy has launched an initiative to establish the Taiwan Association of Local Governments (TALG). Foreign Minister and the foundation’s Vice Chairperson Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said in a social media post on Thursday, August 20, that Taiwan’s rich experience in democratic governance is one of the most valuable assets for advancing democracy.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has drawn sharp criticism after suggesting in an interview that he would use force to prevent a state from seceding from Malaysia, remarks widely recognized as rationalizing China’s potential use of military force against Taiwan. The comments prompted a swift rebuke from Luke de Pulford co-founder of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC). Posting on X on August 19, de Pulford wrote, “Someone needs to give @anwaribrahim a basic history lesson. Shocking to see a leader repeat demonstrable falsehoods. Embarrassing for the Malaysian people.”

Chefs from South Korea’s culinary competition show Culinary Class Wars, including Lu Ching Lai (呂敬來) and Park Eun-young (朴恩影), attended the Seoul stop of the International Tour of Taiwan Gourmet Cuisine on Tuesday. Taiwanese Seediq chef Chiang Hsin-yi (江信毅) introduced Korean chefs to Taiwan’s culinary culture by combining Indigenous ingredients with traditional flavors.

The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) has issued a statement expressing their concern regarding Uganda’s unreasonable demands and obstruction of Taiwanese passport holders, which they say is linked to China’s political demands. The Foreign Ministry on Tuesday thanked IPAC for speaking up for Taiwan.

New Taipei City marked Black Cat Appreciation Day on Monday, August 17, with a campaign offering a year’s supply of cat food to people who adopt an adult black cat from one of the city’s eight animal shelters before December 31.

The CDC announced Friday, August 14, that it will hold a meeting in late August to decide whether to extend free testing and entry bans related to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Currently, both would expire at about the end of the month.

President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) warned Wednesday that China views Taiwan’s year-end elections as a key test of its Taiwan policy and is seeking support for “patriotic forces” in Taiwan.

The 2026 Urban Resilience Exercise will be conducted in Taiwan on Thursday, August 13. The National Communications Commission (NCC) reminds the public to prepare for mobile internet disruptions ahead of the drill.

The Digital Ministry released guidelines on July 1 stating that civil servants classified as “key personnel” must not carry any official equipment or personal devices containing official data when traveling to China or other high-risk regions in order to reduce the risk of cross-border cybersecurity breaches and official data leaks. Cyber Security Administration (ACS) Director-General Tsai Fu-Longe (蔡福隆) said this Tuesday that these measures can further serve as a reference for business travelers.

Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) announced Monday, July 10, public procedure for the resilience drill, taking place in the afternoon. Citizens should use standard voice calls to report medical emergencies or other public safety hazards. Public transportation, such as buses and MRT trains, will continue operation, but vehicles will pull over, and exit from MRT stations will be prohibited for the duration of the drill.

The Central Weather Administration (CWA) is expecting to issue a maritime typhoon warning on the afternoon of Friday, August 7, due to medium-strength Typhoon Dolphin approaching Taiwan’s north coast. CWA says a land typhoon warning may be issued for the outlying Matsu Islands on August 8.

Taiwan’s representative to Germany, Klement Gu (谷瑞生), told German and international students this week that Taiwan has become an indispensable global partner despite facing constant threats from China, declaring that “without Taiwan, there would be no AI today.” Gu made the remarks on Tuesday, August 4, at an advanced training camp hosted by the Academic Association for Security Studies (BSH), Germany’s largest student organization focused on security policy in Berlin.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, August 4, that Taiwan is breaking with longstanding secrecy to publicly acknowledge U.S. military training on the island, a move analysts say signals to Beijing that defense ties remain strong despite ambiguous remarks by President Donald Trump.

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) and New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) rode the Wanda-Zhonghe-Shulin MRT line inaugural test train on Monday, August 3. The mayors stated that the new line will shorten journey times substantially and divert ridership from busier lines, improving the efficiency of the Taipei and New Taipei City metro network.

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) met with a delegation led by the U.S.-based think tank Institute for Indo-Pacific Security (IIPS) Chairman Randall G. Schriver on Thursday, July 30. During the meeting, Lin said the Taiwan-U.S. relationship has advanced towards a ‘symbiotic partnership’. That came in a Foreign Ministry press release on Friday, July 31.

Taipei City on Thursday hosted the second Taipei-U.S. City Collaboration Powering New Industry Opportunities, with Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) expressing hope the platform will strengthen economic and bilateral cooperation. Building on strong feedback from last year’s inaugural event, the city expanded this year’s program to deepen commercial links.

UBS has upgraded its forecast for Taiwan’s economic growth, citing strong exports and rising investment, and now expects gross domestic product to expand by 11% in 2026. If realized, the figure would mark Taiwan’s fastest growth rate in 39 years.

The number of Filipino students studying in Taiwan has increased by more than 70% over the past three years, prompting the Education Ministry and the Philippines’ Commission on Higher Education to hold a working group meeting to expand higher education cooperation this Monday.

The Digital Ministry’s Administration for Cyber Security is warning companies of the growing threat of ransomware attacks targeting manufacturing, service industries, and medical institutions. This came at a press conference on Monday, July 27.

The Transportation Ministry’s Highway Bureau activated an emergency response team at 7:00 a.m. on Friday, July 24, in response to the Central Weather Administration (CWA) issuing a maritime typhoon warning the previous evening. Tropical depression TD13 has developed into a tropical storm, classified in Taiwan as a mild typhoon, and was given the name Noul. According to the latest information, Noul is expected to bring prolonged torrential rain to southern Hualien, Taitung, the Hengchun Peninsula, and the mountain areas of Pingtung.

Officials from the United States, Japan, and South Korea expressed concerns over China’s actions and underscored the importance of maintaining peace in the Indo-Pacific region. The three countries met in Manila this Wednesday, July 22, with talks headed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun.

Taiwan’s economy is experiencing a strong resurgence reminiscent of its days as one of Asia’s “Four Tigers,” driven by a strategic shift away from China and closer ties with the United States, according to former Bloomberg News reporter Chris Horton.

The Consumers’ Foundation (CFCT) held a press conference this Tuesday announcing its intent to file a class-action lawsuit on behalf of all affected consumers against the implicated oil companies.

DPP legislator Wu Pei-yi (吳沛憶) has said that the arrests of five Hong Kong book industry workers amounted to China “burning books,” as she condemned restrictions on publishing and reading freedoms in Hong Kong. Wu made the comments at a news conference in Taipei on Monday, July 20, that was co-organized by DPP legislator Chen Pei-yu (陳培瑜) and attended by Taiwanese independent bookstore representatives, who voiced their concerns about China’s repression of the Hong Kong publishing industry.

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) says that Taiwan’s diplomatic situation is very difficult, as China suppresses Taiwan’s opportunities to expand its international space at every turn. This came on Friday, July 17, in response to Papua New Guinea’s unilateral decision to immediately shut down Taiwan’s representative office in the country.

President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) voiced support Thursday for independent bookstores in Hong Kong after several were searched and associated individuals detained, saying Taipei will continue to monitor the situation and defend freedom of expression.

The government is planning five major reforms and will review product recall regulations in light of rising food safety concerns in Taiwan. The controversy stems from contaminated cooking oil produced by Central Union Oil Corporation. On Wednesday, July 15, Health Minister Shih Chung-liang (石崇良) stated that the most likely cause of the contamination is related to the manufacturing process, although experts are still investigating the matter.

Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry has rejected an assertion by Chinese scholars that the Philippines’ Batanes Islands belong to China, calling it an “unrealistic fantasy” unworthy of comment.

Over 130 injuries have been reported, and more than 1,000 telephone lines and 59 cell towers have been damaged as a result of Typhoon Bavi bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall to Taiwan. The Central Emergency Operation Center (CEOC) said on Sunday, July 12, it expects repairs to last at least until July 14.

Lawmakers from the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) from six countries conducted an inspection tour of waters surrounding Taiwan’s outlying Kinmen Islands on Thursday, June 9. This marked the first time a multinational parliamentary delegation has traveled to the Taiwan Strait in this capacity.

Central Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Governor Yang Chin-long (楊金龍) said on Thursday, July 9, during a Legislative session, that allowing dividends to foreign investors in USD will help reduce exchange rate volatility for TSMC, which has 70% foreign ownership.

The 2026 Taiwan International Ocean Forum (TIOF) opened on Wednesday, July 8, in Taipei, bringing together domestic and international experts to discuss regional security and maritime issues.

The Presidential Office says China is causing an international alarm and urges the country to exercise restraint and return to a rules-based international order. That came from Presidential Office Spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) on Tuesday, July 7, following the Chinese navy test-launching an intercontinental ballistic missile from a submarine in the Pacific Ocean on Monday.

The President of the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala Luis Alberto Contreras Colindres arrived in Taiwan on Monday, July 6, for a 5-day visit, accompanied by a cross-party delegation. During their stay in Taiwan, the group will meet with President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) and other high-ranking officials, as well as take part in arranged site visits.

Causeway Bay Books Manager Lam Wing-kee (林榮基) passed away at the age of 70 on the evening of Thursday, June 2, at MacKay Memorial Hospital in Taipei, following a recurrence of cancer. Lam was an active participant in Hong Kong public life, standing firmly in support of democracy and freedom.

President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) urged lawmakers to quickly approve the central government’s budget this Thursday, July 2, stressing the importance of funding to support flood control projects following heavy rains and flooding across Taiwan.

Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) marked its 30th anniversary on Wednesday with a conference in Taipei, drawing representatives from the United States, Japan and the European Union, who praised Taiwan’s contributions to global development.

Taiwan’s Interior Ministry is warning religious groups following Beijing’s passing of the Law Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress, which will take effect this Wednesday on July 1, 2026. This Monday, June 29, Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang (劉世芳) stated that the ministry has held seminars for religious groups in Kinmen and Penghu, urging the religious leaders and followers to take precaution when traveling to China for exchanges.

United States officials pledged strong support for Taiwan this week to a cross-party delegation of Taiwanese lawmakers. The delegation, led by Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜), met with officials from the White House, Department of War, and think tanks in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, June 25.

Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration (CWA) activated a heavy rainfall advisory at 11 a.m. Thursday, as Typhoon Mekkhala and strengthening southwesterly winds brought intense downpours across the island.

A delegation of Taiwanese cross-party lawmakers led by Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) arrived in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, June 23, in the evening. The group is scheduled to meet with U.S. lawmakers on Wednesday, but no details have been released.

The Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) kicked off its Taiwan Expo in Europe in Warsaw, Poland, this Monday, following TAITRA Chair James Huang’s (黃志芳) trip to Ukraine last week. Huang visited Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi last Friday, expressing Taiwanese goodwill and concern. He said he hopes to learn from Lviv’s wartime resilience and hopes Taiwan could play a key role in Ukraine’s reconstruction.

Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi (陳明祺) met with Paraguay’s Minister of Information and Communication Technologies Gustavo Villate and visited the site of the Taiwan-Paraguay sovereign AI data center project. That came in a Foreign Ministry press release on Saturday, June 20.

The Cyber Security Administration (CSA) announced on Friday, June 19, that no security breaches have been reported in Taiwan so far, following reports of the massive data leak dubbed “FortiBleed.” In the FortiBleed announcement, cybercrime tracker Hudson Rock said that over 75,000 firewalls were compromised in more than 15 countries, the top three most affected being India, the United States, and Taiwan.

President Lai Ching-te said Taiwan is willing to respond to the G7 summit’s call to maintain peace across the Taiwan Strait at an international media gathering this Thursday, June 18, and called for China to renounce the use of force against Taiwan.

In mid-June, the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services approved provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 (NDAA), restructuring its regional defense framework and incorporating Taiwan and the Philippines into the First Island Chain Security Cooperation Initiative, according to reports. The move marks a shift in treating the two as separate defense entities and replaces the previous Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative.

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) says he is looking forward to Taiwan and the U.S. continuing to deepen bilateral trade and investment cooperation to build safer and more resilient supply chains. That came in a social media post on Saturday, June 13, following a meeting Lin hosted on Friday with the U.S. Deputy Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO) David Bisbee.

The European Union and the Republic of Korea issued a joint statement reaffirming the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and opposing any attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo in the Indo-Pacific region. Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry welcomed and affirmed that message in a press statement on Thursday, June 11.

Taiwan’s Cabinet on Thursday approved draft amendments to the Criminal Code that would significantly increase penalties for drug-impaired driving, including life imprisonment for repeat offenders who cause death. The proposal will be sent to the Legislature for review.

Taiwan will strive to maintain its participation in the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) as a “development partner,” Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) said whilst visiting Palau, the host of this year’s forum.

A cross-party delegation of South Korean lawmakers is visiting Taiwan and met with Deputy Foreign Minister Wu Chih-chung (吳志中) this Monday. Wu said maintaining a free and democratic Taiwan is in South Korea’s national interest and expressed his hope to expand cooperation in various fields.

The island nations of Taiwan and Palau will work together to show to the world that they are indispensable forces for good on the international stage. That came from Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) during a welcoming dinner in Palau on the evening of Sunday, June 7. Hsiao is currently heading a delegation on a state visit to the island nation, one of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies.

Competitors hoping to catch up with the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (TSMC) are “dreaming.” That came from TSMC Chairman CC Wei on Thursday, June 4, at the company's annual shareholders' meeting.

TSMC Chair C.C. Wei (魏哲家) announced at the company’s annual shareholder meeting on Thursday, June 4, that the chipmaker delivered outstanding results in 2025, driven by explosive growth in the artificial intelligence industry. Revenue and earnings per share both reached all-time highs, while TSMC’s stock price surged more than 1.5 times over the past year, climbing from NT$950 (US$30) to NT$2425 (US$77). Reflecting its strong performance, TSMC plans to distribute a cash dividend of at least NT$24 (76 cents) per share this year, increasing by more than 30% from last year.

To mark the United Nations’ World Bicycle Day, Taiwan launched its “Healthy Taiwan – Nationwide Ride: 2026 World Bicycle Day Celebration” initiative on Wednesday, June 3, along the north coast, marking the first time seven central government ministries have joined forces with all 22 counties and cities to promote cycling nationwide.

The 2026 Computex trade show kicked off in Taipei on Tuesday, June 2, with President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) attending the opening ceremony. This year’s event is themed “AI Together” and focuses on artificial intelligence, robotics, and next-generation technologies.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) says his company is no longer just a chip designer, but an AI infrastructure builder with particular focus on facilitating agentic AI development, optimization, and operations. That came in a keynote speech Huang delivered at the 2026 Nvidia GTC Taipei on Monday, June 1.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) says that Huawei’s new Tau (τ) Scaling Law design principles are a breakthrough for Huawei, but not a threat to TSMC. That came in an interview after a dinner event he hosted on Thursday, May 28, for leading figures from Taiwan’s semiconductor and electronics industries.

Taiwan’s largest entrepreneurship competition, the "Startup Bloom – Entrepreneurship Alliance Competition" (創業綻放－創業大聯盟競賽), held its finals and awards ceremony this Wednesday. With a total prize pool exceeding NT$300 million (US$9.5 million), the competition has the largest number of participants and the highest level of startup support in Taiwan.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) said on Wednesday at the planned T17 and T18 sites in Beitou-Shilin Technology Park that Taiwan has become a key hub for artificial intelligence and will remain central to global technology and electronics manufacturing, while stressing the need for stable energy supplies.

Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry has criticized Beijing’s comments on a visiting German parliamentary delegation, saying China has no right to interfere in exchanges between Taiwan and lawmakers from other countries.

Taiwan wants to see stronger resilience and stability of supply chains among APEC economies and wants to share its experience in AI innovation and green energy transition. That came during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade meeting in Suzhou, which concluded on Saturday, May 23.

Taiwan can become Europe’s most trusted partner in advancing “reindustrialization” and rearmament, and the two sides can work together to build a global supply chain based on democracy, the rule of law, and trusted technology. That statement came from Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) at the 2026 GLOBSEC Forum in Prague on Thursday, May 21. Lin called for a closer strategic partnership between Taiwan and Europe in the face of a global geopolitical realignment, authoritarian expansion, and a new industrial revolution driven by artificial intelligence. He said the two sides already have a decades-long, solid foundation of economic cooperation and shared democratic values. Europe has been a major source of foreign investment in Taiwan for many years, and European capital, technology, and expertise have played a crucial role in Taiwan’s economic transformation and its current position as a high-tech powerhouse. Lin said that China’s unfair practices and excess production create imbalances in global competition and dangerous dependencies on a single supply source. He said China has weaponized critical mineral exports, which underscores the importance of derisking global supply chains. Lin said that economics and security are no longer separate, but trade, technology, supply chains, and industrial capabilities have all become key elements of national security.

Italian publisher Fazi Editore announced Wednesday it will release an Italian language edition of Taiwan Travelogue (臺灣漫遊錄) in early 2027, following the novel’s historic win of the International Booker Prize, the first ever Mandarin Chinese-language work to receive the honor.

President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) marked the second anniversary of his inauguration on Wednesday with a press conference alongside Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) and Secretary-General to the President Pan Men-an (潘孟安). Themed “30 Years of Direct Presidential Elections: Boldly Pursuing the Future,” his address traced Taiwan’s democratic journey back to its first direct presidential election in 1996, urging citizens to unite in safeguarding democracy for the next generation.

Construction for the Baishatun Mazu Hospital (白沙屯媽祖醫院) broke ground this Tuesday, with President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) delivering the ceremony address. The hospital, which will be located next to Gongtian Temple in Baishatun, Miaoli County, is expected to improve the overall health and well-being of coastal residents, Lai said.

The Foreign Ministry says that close cooperation with the United States has always been the cornerstone of peace across the Taiwan Strait and that Taiwan will continue to firmly defend the regional status quo and build effective deterrence capabilities. That came after US President Donald Trump concluded his visit to China and said he would soon make a decision on a US$14 billion arms sale to Taiwan.

Taiwan and the United States partnered with Belize to host an international cybersecurity workshop under the Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF), expanding cooperation with allies in Central America. The event, titled “Cybersecurity in the Age of AI,” was held on Wednesday, May 13, local time and brought together about 150 participants.

President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Thursday presided over the inauguration of a new emergency and critical care building at the Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital, expressing hope it will help elevate medical standards and benefit both service members and civilians.

Taiwan is elevating its presence at the 79th World Health Assembly, with the island’s foreign and health ministers expected to jointly lead its delegation to Geneva for the first time when the annual gathering opens on May 18.

United States President Donald Trump is expected to arrive in Beijing Wednesday evening for a three-day visit and meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平). Experts have weighed in regarding concerns that he may reduce support for Taiwan.

Tuvalu’s Minister of Transport, Energy, Communication and Innovation Simon Kofe is leading a delegation of officials on a visit to Taiwan from Sunday, May 10, until Thursday, May 14, at the invitation of the government.

Twenty-one of Taiwan’s major medical associations held a press conference on Friday, May 8, calling on the international community to recognize Taiwan’s role in global health as the island remains uninvited to the World Health Assembly (WHA) for a 10th consecutive year, scheduled to convene in Geneva on May 18.

Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) said in an interview that joint military exercises by the United States, Japan and the Philippines, along with ongoing defense strengthening by Tokyo and Manila, have drawn international attention to whether Taiwan is demonstrating sufficient resolve to bolster its own defense.

Taiwan’s Economic and Trade Office (TETO) in Surabaya hosted an international medical symposium on Tuesday, drawing more than 300 healthcare executives and uniting medical institutions from the United States, Japan, and Australia to share expertise in cancer care and smart medicine.

California State Assembly member Tri Ta has spoken out against the World Coffee Championships (WCC) changing the designation of Taiwan’s participants from “Taiwan” to “Chinese Taipei” last Tuesday, April 28. He criticized the decision as a mistake stemming from political interference by the CCP.

A delegation of lawmakers from New Zealand’s All-Party Parliamentary Group on Taiwan arrived in Taiwan on Monday, April 4. Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry says the group will take part in a number of meetings and activities to deepen their understanding of Taiwan, strengthen the friendship between the two nations and showcase Taiwan’s development across various fields.

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) hopes Japan can negotiate an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and help Taiwan join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). That came during a meeting Lin held with a visiting delegation of Japanese lawmakers on Thursday, April 30.

President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) received model workers and migrant workers at the Presidential Office on Thursday, one day ahead of Labor Day, pledging that workspace safety, dignified labor, and quality of life would remain government priorities.

Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation (THSRC) is actively installing new-generation platform screen doors at all 11 stations on its network as the railway prepares to mark its 20th anniversary next year and launch its next chapter of service, dubbed “2.0.”

Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) convened the third round of cross-party negotiations regarding the special defense budget this Monday. During the talks, KMT Legislator Hsu Chiao-hsin (徐巧芯) introduced a new proposal totaling NT$800 billion (US$25.4 billion), marking the first time an alternative amount has been formally raised in negotiations.