News

CORONAVIRUS/Charter flight to pick up Vietnamese nationals stranded in Taiwan

2020-05-29   Focus Taiwan

The Vietnamese government will dispatch a charter flight Friday to pick up Vietnamese nationals stranded in Taiwan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) confirmed Thursday.

MOE internship program strengthens Taiwan’s ties with NSP target countries

2020-05-29   Taiwan Today

The 2020 internship program for Taiwan undergraduate and postgraduate students seeking to gain...

Taiwan welcomes accelerated domestic investment totaling over US$87 million

Government efforts to accelerate domestic investment are paying dividends as applications from seven Taiwan businesses to invest a total of NT$2.61 billion (US$87 million) have been approved, according to information released May 28 by InvesTaiwan overseen by the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

CORONAVIRUS/Ministry to grant domestic travel subsidies from July 1

2020-05-28   Focus Taiwan

Members of the public will be entitled to subsidies from July 1 as part of the government’s efforts to encourage domestic travel as the COVID-19 pandemic eases, Minister of Transportation and Communications Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said Wednesday.

Honduran President Hernández congratulates President Tsai on her re-election

2020-05-28   Office of the President

Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández spoke with President Tsai Ing-wen on the morning of May 26 by telephone. Presidential Office Spokesperson Xavier Chang (張惇涵) said that President Hernández, in addition to congratulating President Tsai on her re-election, emphasized that he is a faithful friend to Taiwan, and reiterated that bilateral ties between the two countries are firm and harmonious. The two heads of state also exchanged views on matters of shared concern. President Tsai was accompanied during the phone call by Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), while President Hernández was accompanied by Honduran Minister of Foreign Affairs Lisandro Rosales and Presidential Priorities and Public Innovation promoting Digital Government Minister Marco Midence.

CORONAVIRUS/Tariff on imported face masks to resume Wednesday: MOF

2020-05-27   Focus Taiwan

The tariff on imported face masks will be re-imposed in Taiwan effective Wednesday, after being temporarily lifted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) announced Tuesday.

Government plans lifting of COVID-19 restrictions

2020-05-27   Executive Yuan

Premier Su Tseng-chang called a meeting of government officials Tuesday to discuss how Taiwan is to lift coronavirus restrictions after having successfully contained the spread of the disease. In principle, the government will maintain strict control measures at the borders while easing restrictions within the nation.

CECC loosens restrictions on visits to psychiatric wards starting May 25 as Taiwan’s communities are relatively safe

2020-05-26   Centers for Disease Control

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) will gradually remove disease prevention related restrictions as Taiwan’s coronavirus numbers stabilize and communities are relatively safe. Considering that the average length of stay of patients in psychiatric wards is longer, CECC has eased restrictions on visits to psychiatric wards, effective from May 25, to reduce mood swings in the patients.

CORONAVIRUS/Taiwan likely to lift ban on mask exports on June 1

2020-05-26   Focus Taiwan

Taiwan is planning to lift a ban on surgical mask exports on June 1, but the decision will not be finalized until later this week, according to an official with the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).

Bilingual chatbot on Google Assistant launched; public can use chatbot to gain latest information on COVID-19

2020-05-25   Centers for Disease Control

As coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to spread across the globe, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) constantly employs technology to assist in implementing disease prevention efforts. The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) recently established a bilingual chatbot on Google Assistant to serve as another channel for the public to obtain latest information regarding disease prevention. If members of the public have any question regarding COVID-19, they can open up the Google Assistant app on a device which supports Google Assistant to interact with the chatbot for information regarding COVID-19 prevention.

CECC loosens restrictions on applicants requesting COVID-19 testing at their own expense as Taiwan’s coronavirus numbers stabilize

2020-05-25   Centers for Disease Control

On May 23, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced that it gradually eased restrictions on applicants for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing considering that domestic coronavirus situation is under control.

2020 Taiwan International Student Design Competition (TISDC) Call for Entries by Talented Global Designers Till July 20

2020-05-22   Ministry of Education

Online registration to submit entries for the 2020 Taiwan International Student Design Competition (TISDC) is now open.

MOFA thanks diplomatic allies, like-minded countries for strong support extended at virtual 73rd WHA for Taiwan’s participation in WHO

2020-05-22   Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) sincerely thanks Taiwan’s diplomatic allies and like-minded countries for voicing strong support at the virtual 73rd World Health Assembly May 18 and 19 for Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization. This support was particularly appreciated considering that the agenda for this year’s WHA had been significantly shortened and each country was only given two minutes to deliver remarks.

In accord with Taiwan’s epidemic prevention efforts, the suspension of inbound/ outbound international tour group travel has been extended through June 30th

2020-05-21   Tourism Bureau

Yesterday (May 18), the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) reported that Taiwan has continued to report no new COVID-19 cases, leaving the total number of diagnosed cases at 440. However, more than 4 million cases have been diagnosed globally from 187 countries and regions. As the current international epidemic situation remains severe, the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation & Communications has reviewed existing travel restrictions in cooperation with the CECC. As a result of this review and the severe global COVID-19 situation, the government has decided to extend the suspension of tour group travel into and out of Taiwan through June 30, 2020. In terms of cancellations and refunds, such cases shall be handled in accordance with the principles outlined in Article 14 of the Template for Fixed Contracts for Overseas Tours. The Bureau shall continue to monitor this situation actively, and will make further adjustments when deemed appropriate.

President Tsai and Vice President and Mrs. Lai receive congratulations from foreign guests

2020-05-21   Office of the President

President Tsai Ing-wen and Vice President Lai Ching-te and his wife received congratulations from members of the diplomatic corps and foreign organizations stationed in Taiwan as well as representatives from international organizations on the morning of May 20 at the Taipei Guest House.

Inaugural address of ROC 15th-term President Tsai Ing-wen

2020-05-20   Office of the President

On the morning of May 20, ROC 15th-term President Tsai Ing-wen and Vice President Lai Ching-te attended inaugural celebrations at the Taipei Guest House. President Tsai also delivered her inaugural address.

The Statement on Taiwan’s Exclusion from WHA

2020-05-20   Ministry of Health and Welfare

Taiwan and the United States release statements on Taiwan’s exclusion from the 73rd World Health Assembly on May 19, 2020. Statement from Taiwan side is as following:
Taiwan deeply regrets that the World Health Organization continues to deny Taiwan’s Observer status at the World Health Assembly for political reasons.

Ministers express deep regret, dissatisfaction as Taiwan yet to receive invitation to virtual World Health Assembly

2020-05-19   Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu and Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung expressed the government’s deep regret and dissatisfaction that Taiwan had yet to receive an invitation to take part as an Observer in the 73rd World Health Assembly, which is due to commence at 6 p.m. May 18 Taipei time, at a press conference held the same day at the Central Epidemic Command Center.

Taiwan holds virtual forum Review of COVID-19 prevention and control strategies with the United States, Japan, Canada and other countries for combating COVID-19

2020-05-19   Ministry of Health and Welfare

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is a novel infectious disease that poses a major threat to global health. On May 15, Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare held an online forum Review of COVID-19 prevention and control strategies in Taipei and invited health officials from the United States, Japan, Canada and other like-minded countries around 50 participants from 14 countries/regional organizations.

Taiwan receives exceptionally strong international support for WHO bid; MOFA heartened, sincerely grateful

2020-05-18   Ministry of Foreign Affairs

After years of unrelenting efforts by the government of Taiwan and civil society, Taiwan’s bid for World Health Organization participation is gaining an increasing amount of international support. As this momentum builds, it highlights the fact that Taiwan’s commitment to a professional, pragmatic, and constructive approach to its WHO bid is the correct one.

Third automatic 30-day extension for foreigners entering Taiwan on or before March 21 with visa waiver, visitor visa, or landing visa (no application required) (overstayers excepted)

2020-05-18   Bureau Of Consular Affairs

Due to the impact that COVID-19 border control measures and flight bans have had on foreign visitors to Taiwan, MOFA announced the first automatic 30-day visa extension on March 21, and the second on April 17.

CORONAVIRUS/CPBL to allow more fans to attend baseball games starting Friday

2020-05-15   Focus Taiwan

The Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) will allow more fans to attend games played at local stadiums starting Friday, increasing the maximum attendance from 1,000 to 2,000, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Thursday.

EU health ministers urged to support Taiwan’s participation in WHA

2020-05-15   Focus Taiwan

A total of 102 European Parliament (EP) legislators on Wednesday urged European Union (EU) health ministers to help facilitate the participation of Taiwan’s health minister Chen Shih-chung (陳時中) at the upcoming World Health Assembly (WHA) as an observer.

Taiwan and Australia Cooperate Together on Scientific Research to Fight Against Pandemics, and Jointly Develop New Anti-novel Coronavirus Drugs

2020-05-14   Ministry of Science and Technology

To support in containing the COVID-19 epidemic, the Ministry of Science and Technology Taiwan (MOST) proactively promotes cooperation between the domestic academic research community and foreign academic research institutions to assist in fighting the virus SARS-CoV-2. The Research Center for Emerging Virus Infections (RCEVI) of the Chang Gung University, supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology Taiwan, will cooperate with the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute (BDI) in Australia to study the effectiveness of the anti-parasitic drug “Ivermectin” in inhibiting the novel coronavirus and possibly leading to the development of new antiviral drugs in the future.

Taiwan records no new COVID-19 case for sixth straight day

2020-05-14   Focus Taiwan

Taiwan did not report any new cases of COVID-19 for a sixth consecutive day on Wednesday, keeping the total at 440 since the pandemic began late last year, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).

BERI ranks Taiwan 3rd best investment destination

2020-05-13   Focus Taiwan

Taiwan has been ranked as the third-best destination for investment in the latest U.S. Business Environment Risk Intelligence (BERI) report, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) said Monday.

CORONAVIRUS/Face masks for children under 4 to be available next week: CECC

2020-05-13   Focus Taiwan

The government will begin supplying face masks for children under the age of four, starting next week, via its online ordering system and at convenience stores, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Sunday.

On the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, Water Resources Agency, MOEA, calls on “water saving and love earth”

2020-05-12   Ministy of Economic Affairs

Water saving is to love the earth! Water Resources Agency, MOEA, has spared no effort to promote water saving, such as, meticulous water-saving management, counseling manufacturers to strengthen water-saving, promoting the popularization of water-saving products, Legislation passed that toilets and washing machines cannot be sold without a water conservation mark. Since June 2019, water saving has exceeded 630 million tons, equivalent to the capacity of a Zengwen Reservoir. Water resources are critical to the sustainable development of the national society. Saving water can reduce the risk of water shortage, reduce wastewater discharge, and protect the environment. Water Resources Agency calls on all people to save water and response to Earth Day!

The Collaborative Effort of Taiwan and India’s Science and Technology Innovation Center on Epidemic Prevention

2020-05-12   Ministry of Science and Technology

To align with the New Southbound policy, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) has been providing funding for academic institutions in Taiwan and their counterparts in South and Southeast Asian countries to establish “Science and Technology Innovation Centers (STICs).” Since 2017, 12 STICs have been set up in 9 countries.