News

Cabinet greenlights Civil Code amendment lowering majority age to 18

A Civil Code amendment to lower the age of majority from 20 to 18 and set the legal engagement and marriage ages at 17 and 18 for both men and women was greenlighted by the Cabinet Aug. 13.

Gathering APEC Resources APEC Cross-Sector Innovation Ecosystem Conference Held in Taipei

2020-08-14   Ministy of Economic Affairs

To enhance SMEs to grasp the gist of the best practices on cross-sector collaboration and further to form the innovation ecosystems, the Small and Medium Enterprise Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs proposed “APEC Cross-Sector Innovation Ecosystem Conference: Strengthening Networks of SMEs Co-Innovation for Better Future” and held this event in NTUH International Convention Center on 12 August. Representatives from multiple APEC member economies, experts on cross-sector innovation, MNCs, and outstanding demonstration teams attended this event.

MOFA Minister Wu discusses Taiwan-US relations in CNN interview

2020-08-14   Taiwan Today

Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu praised strong Taiwan-U.S. relations Aug. 12, saying the recent visit by U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar is a clear show of support for Taiwan and its management of the COVID-19 pandemic.

President Tsai addresses Taiwan's diplomatic, security, and economic challenges at videoconference jointly sponsored by US-based think tanks

2020-08-13   Office of the President

At the invitation of US-based think tanks, the Hudson Institute and the Center for American Progress (CAP), President Tsai Ing-wen participated in a videoconference on the theme “President Tsai Ing-wen Discusses the Diplomatic, Security and Economic Challenges Facing Taiwan,” delivering a speech entitled “Protecting Taiwan as a bastion of freedom in the Indo-Pacific.”

Starting August 13, eligible children under 6 and their parents accompanying them may return to Taiwan

2020-08-13   Centers for Disease Control

On August 12, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced that starting from 00:00 Taipei Standard Time on August 13, mainland Chinese children aged 2 to 6 years may apply for entry into Taiwan and their parents may accompany them.

Bill to help immigrants enroll in universities

2020-08-12   Overseas Community Affairs Council

The Ministry of Education is drafting an amendment that would allow “new immigrants” to enroll in local universities without taking entrance exams, with the policy expected to take effect in the second half of next year at the earliest.

Michelin Guide releases Bib Gourmand list for Taipei, Taichung

2020-08-12   Focus Taiwan

The Michelin Guide on Tuesday released a list of 75 Bib Gourmand restaurants in Taipei and Taichung, a distinction given to establishments that offer a three course meal for a fixed price not exceeding NT$1,000 (US$34).

President Tsai meets US Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar

2020-08-11   Office of the President

President Tsai Ing-wen met with US Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Alex Azar on the morning of August 10. The president stated that we look forward to making substantial progress on joint efforts to develop and produce vaccines and drugs. She also emphasized once again that political considerations should not override the human right to health.

The first Memorandum of Understanding on Health Cooperation between the Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare and the United States Department of Health and Human Services

2020-08-11   Ministry of Health and Welfare

With joint efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on health cooperation between Taiwan and the United States is signed by Chairperson Jen-ni Yang of the Taiwan Council for U.S. Affairs and Director Brent Christensen of the American Institute in Taiwan, on August 10, 2020 in Taipei in the presence of witnesses, Minister Shih-Chung Chen of the Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare and Secretary Alex Azar II of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This MOU also showed the tight, staunch and friendly partnership between Taiwan and the United States.

President Tsai meets Japanese delegation visiting Taiwan to pay respects to former President Lee

2020-08-10   Office of the President

President Tsai Ing-wen met on the afternoon of August 9 with a delegation from Japan, and thanked them for making a special trip to Taiwan to pay their respects to former President Lee Teng-hui. President Tsai also expressed hope that Taiwan and Japan will have even more opportunities for cooperation in information sharing about the pandemic, research and development of vaccines and drugs, and exchanges of medical professionals, and that the Taiwan-Japan friendship will also continue to deepen.

Travelers arriving in Taiwan from Philippines must undergo COVID-19 testing at airports and undergo 14-day period of quarantine at group quarantine facility

2020-08-10   Centers for Disease Control

On August 9, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) reported that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to spread in the Philippines. To ensure public health and safety, the CECC announced that starting from August 12, travelers arriving in Taiwan from the Philippines must follow related quarantine measures which are listed below.

CORONAVIRUS/Masks made mandatory again on Taipei MRT

2020-08-07   Focus Taiwan

Passengers using Taipei’s mass rapid transit (MRT) system are required to wear masks for the duration of their trip with immediate effect, regardless of whether they can maintain social distancing, Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation (Taipei Metro) said Thursday.

Premier vows full support for startups to lead new economy

2020-08-07   Executive Yuan

Premier Su Tseng-chang received a briefing Thursday from the National Development Council (NDC) on the Asia Silicon Valley Development Plan. He urged central and local governments to work together in strengthening investment and collaboration mechanisms between corporations and startups, encouraging procurement of startup products to boost government efficiency, and creating a startup development platform that provides comprehensive support from funding and talent to ecosystems and regulations.

Japan is removed from CECC’s list of medium-risk countries as its coronavirus cases continue to increase

2020-08-06   Centers for Disease Control

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced that no additional cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were confirmed in Taiwan on August 5. The CECC reported that a cumulative total of 82,525 cases related to COVID-19 have been reported in Taiwan among which COVID-19 has been ruled out in 81,443. Of these reported cases, infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in 476 cases. Of 476 confirmed cases in Taiwan, 384 are imported; 55 are indigenous; 36 are naval crew members aboard the Panshi fast combat support ship, and 1 case has yet to be clarified. Of the confirmed cases, there have been 7 deaths, and 443 patients have been released from isolation, with the other 26 patients remaining hospitalized in isolation.

President Tsai meets Nicaraguan Ambassador Tapia

2020-08-06   Office of the President

While meeting with Nicaraguan Ambassador William Manuel Tapia Alemán on the morning of August 6, President Tsai Ing-wen thanked the ambassador on behalf of the people of Taiwan for his tireless efforts to strengthen the friendly ties between Taiwan and Nicaragua. As Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Taiwan for the past few years, Ambassador Tapia has always been an active participant in exchange events involving Taiwan, as well as other foreign missions. President Tsai expressed hope Ambassador Tapia will have a chance to return to Taiwan, and bring other foreign friends along for a visit to experience the warmth and friendliness of our people. She also told Ambassador Tapia that Taiwan is truly his second home.

MOFA welcomes visit by US Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar II

2020-08-05   Ministry of Foreign Affairs

US Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar II will lead a delegation to visit Taiwan in the following days. During his stay, Dr. Azar will call on President Tsai Ing-wen and meet with Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu, as well as Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung. Dr. Azar is also scheduled to visit the Central Epidemic Command Center, and take part in a discussion with medical experts, in order to strength the ties of medical cooperation between Taiwan and the US.

Taiwan’s FDA to ban three food additives from 2024

2020-08-05   Focus Taiwan

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Tuesday it plans to ban three synthetic flavoring substances, projected to take effect in 2024, over growing concerns at their carcinogenic potential.

Japanese politicians pay respects to former President Lee Teng-hui

2020-08-04   Focus Taiwan

Several Japanese political figures paid their respects to Taiwan’s former President Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) Monday at the nation’s representative office in Tokyo, where a memorial was set up to honor the former president.

The Ministry of Education Allows the Return of Graduating Students from Outside 19 Countries/Regions to the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Study from July 22

2020-08-04   Ministry of Education

The Ministry of Education (MOE) has announced that graduating students from the academic year 108 from outside the 19 low-risk and medium-risk countries/regions are allowed to return to the Republic of China (ROC) (Taiwan) for study. Universities and colleges can apply to the MOE regarding the entry of graduating students from the academic year 108 adhere to the regulated procedures, and these students must complete a 14-day home quarantine at a central quarantine location or an epidemic prevention hotel. Following this, depending on the quarantine situation and the quarantine locations’ capacity after entry, then restrictions for other undergraduate degree students and incoming students can be relaxed and they can be allowed to enter the ROC (Taiwan) orderly.

149 foreign professionals naturalized as Taiwanese since 2017

2020-08-03   Focus Taiwan

A total of 149 foreign nationals have obtained Taiwanese nationality since the government amended the Nationality Act in December 2016 to recruit and retain top talent from around the world, the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) said Sunday.

CECC confirms 1 more imported COVID-19 case; female case travels to Taiwan from Philippines to visit relatives

2020-08-03   Centers for Disease Control

On August 2, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced one new confirmed imported case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Taiwan. The case (Case #475) is an over 20-year-old female who came to Taiwan from the Philippines on July 31 to visit her relatives. The female case had no symptoms when entering Taiwan on July 31. After she had her specimen collected at the airport, her family members drove her to a quarantine hotel for home quarantine. The case developed a slightly elevated temperature on August 1. Infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in the case on August 2.

Government committed to making Taiwan high-end manufacturing hub for Asia

2020-07-31   Executive Yuan

At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Su Tseng-chang received a briefing from the Ministry of Economic Affairs on the outcomes of the Smart Machinery Development Program.

Indonesia to resume migrant worker supply to Taiwan, 21 other countries

2020-07-31   Focus Taiwan

The Indonesian government said Thursday it is ready to start sending migrant workers again to 22 countries and regions around the world, including Taiwan, after a suspension of nearly four months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Foreign Minister Wu confers award upon Swedish Representative Jevrell

2020-07-30   Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu on July 27 represented President Tsai Ing-wen in conferring the Order of Brilliant Star with Violet Grand Cordon upon Sven Håkan Oskar Jevrell, Representative of the Swedish Trade and Invest Council, in recognition of his efforts and contributions to advancing Taiwan-Sweden relations during his tenure in Taiwan.

Mass testing is still unnecessary in Taiwan as COVID-19 status in Taiwan is different from global coronavirus developments

2020-07-30   Centers for Disease Control

Regarding some scholars’ opinion that mass testing should be required for travelers bound for Taiwan, the CECC stated that though mass testing can identify asymptomatic carriers, our measures of a 14-day period of home quarantine imposed on arrivals and a 7-day period of self-health management following the end of the quarantine period for asymptomatic individuals have continued to effectively contain the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Taiwan.

CECC announces contact tracing details regarding Thai migrant worker

2020-07-29   Centers for Disease Control

On July 28, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced the findings of the investigation into a Thai migrant worker found to have coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) after he returned to Thailand.

CECC confirms 5 more imported COVID-19 cases

2020-07-29   Centers for Disease Control

On July 28, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced five new confirmed imported cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Taiwan. Of the five new cases (Cases #463-467), four arrived in Taiwan from the Philippines, and the other one arrived from Hong Kong.

Taiwan shares COVID-19 success story at APEC trade ministers meeting

2020-07-28   Executive Yuan

The Executive Yuan Office of Trade Negotiations (OTN) said that Taiwan on Saturday participated in a virtual meeting of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) trade ministers to discuss the importance of a free and open trade and investment environment amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thailand reports one confirmed COVID-19 case returning to Thailand from Taiwan; CECC and local governments launch epidemic investigation

2020-07-28   Centers for Disease Control

On July 27, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced that Taiwan received a notification from Thai authorities this noon that a migrant worker who returned to Thailand from Taiwan has been confirmed to have coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). After contact with Thai authorities, the CECC has obtained information on the confirmed case. The case is a Thai migrant worker who worked in northern Taiwan. The migrant worker returned to Thailand on July 21 and tested positive for COVID-19 on July 25.

Starting from July 26, travelers arriving in Taiwan from Philippines must undergo COVID-19 testing at airports and observe quarantine measures

2020-07-27   Centers for Disease Control

On July 24, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) reported that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to rage in the Philippines. Furthermore, of 11 imported cases confirmed in Taiwan from June, six are linked to the Philippines. To protect public health, the CECC announced that starting from July 26, travelers arriving in Taiwan from the Philippines must follow related quarantine measures which are listed below.

Taiwan donates 10,000 face masks to Chinatown in New York

2020-07-27   Focus Taiwan

Taiwan on Sunday donated 10,000 face masks to New York City's Chinatown in an effort to help the community combat the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.