News

Government receives over 11 million pre-orders for stimulus vouchers

2020-07-13   Focus Taiwan

More than 11 million people in Taiwan have applied for the government-issued stimulus vouchers since pre-ordering opened on July 1, according to data from the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

Taiwan welcomes US Department of State’s approval of missile servicing package

2020-07-13   Taiwan Today

The recent approval by the U.S. Department of State of a proposed missile servicing package requested by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office is sincerely welcomed by Taiwan’s government and people, the Presidential Office said July 10.

Tsai announces pay raise for Taiwan’s National Airborne Service Corps

President Tsai Ing-wen announced a pay raise for members of National Airborne Service Corps under the Ministry of the Interior July 10 in central Taiwan’s Taichung City, spotlighting the government’s commitment to fostering the recruitment and retention of aviation talents while strengthening the country’s disaster relief capabilities.

CECC urges the public to continue to practice personal hygiene and maintain social distancing as many countries see a resurgence in coronavirus cases

2020-07-09   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 July 8.

Taiwan's goal of joining WHO 'unchanged' after U.S. withdrawal: MOFA

2020-07-09   Focus Taiwan

Taiwan's goal of joining the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as attending its annual World Health Assembly (WHA), remains "unchanged" despite the United States' decision to withdraw from the global health body, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) reiterated on Thursday.

CORONAVIRUS/FDA considers NT$1bn for clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines

2020-07-08   Focus Taiwan

Taiwan's government will formalize plans by the end of July to allocate NT$1 billion (US$33.9 million) to hold clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccine candidates with the goal of developing an effective vaccine by the first quarter of 2021, according to the head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

CORONAVIRUS/U.K. includes Taiwan among its safe travel corridors

2020-07-08   Focus Taiwan

Taiwan has been included by the United Kingdom in its safe travel corridors from which travelers to England will no longer need to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival beginning July 10, according to a notice posted on the U.K.'s government portal.

New pre-order dates added for stimulus vouchers

2020-07-07   Focus Taiwan

The first phase for pre-ordering government-issued spending vouchers is being extended to July 12, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) announced Monday.

President Tsai meets Canadian Trade Office in Taipei Executive Director Jordan Reeves

2020-07-07   Office of the President

During a meeting with Canadian Trade Office in Taipei Executive Director Jordan Reeves on the morning of July 7, President Tsai Ing-wen stated that COVID-19’s impact on the global economy makes it imperative that all nations work together. She expressed hope that Taiwan can become a member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and sign a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA) with Canada to help increase regional economic momentum. The president also emphasized that Taiwan will continue to work with Canada and other like-minded partners to safeguard freedom and democracy worldwide.

CORONAVIRUS/Filipina transfer passenger no major COVID-19 threat to Taiwan: CECC

2020-07-06   Focus Taiwan

A Filipina who tested positive for COVID-19 Saturday in Hong Kong after transiting through Taiwan a day earlier does not pose a major threat to the country, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Monday.

Government receives over 4.7 million pre-orders for stimulus vouchers

2020-07-06   Focus Taiwan

More than 4.7 million people in Taiwan have applied for the government-issued stimulus vouchers, since pre-ordering opened Wednesday, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) said Saturday.

CORONAVIRUS/Taiwan adjusts rules on COVID-19 testing of foreign travelers

2020-07-03   Focus Taiwan

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) on Thursday slightly relaxed its regulations on the timeframe for COVID-19 testing of foreign nationals traveling to Taiwan.

The ROC (Taiwan) reestablishes Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Guam

2020-07-03   Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan), after consultations with the United States, announces its decision to reestablish the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Guam. Preparations are currently underway for the official opening.

CORONAVIRUS/Taipei office in Manila closed due to COVID-19 case

2020-07-02   Focus Taiwan

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines suspended consular services beginning Thursday until further notice due to a confirmed COVID-19 case involving a receptionist who works in the building where the office is located.

Taiwan announces mutual establishment of Representative Offices with Republic of Somaliland

2020-07-02   Ministry of Foreign Affairs

On behalf of the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu announced in a press conference on July 1 that agreement has been reached with the Republic of Somaliland on the mutual establishment of Representative Offices based on bilateral friendship and a shared commitment to common values of freedom, democracy, justice and the rule of law. The offices will be named the Taiwan Representative Office and Somaliland Representative Office, respectively. In the spirit of mutual assistance for mutual benefit, Taiwan and Somaliland will engage in cooperation in areas such as fisheries, agriculture, energy, mining, public health, education and ICT.

CORONAVIRUS/Government to continue requisitioning masks until year-end: CECC

2020-07-01   Focus Taiwan

The Taiwan government will maintain its program to requisition surgical face masks until the end of the year to ensure a stockpile to meet domestic needs, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Tuesday.

MOFA strongly condemns passage of Hong Kong national security law by Standing Committee of the PRC National People’s Congress

2020-07-01   Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) strongly condemns the June 30 passage of the Hong Kong national security law by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China. The law will take effect and be implemented on July 1, despite opposition from the majority of Hong Kong residents and from the international community.

CORONAVIRUS/Taiwan to continue requisitioning face masks until end of July

2020-06-30   Focus Taiwan

Despite the COVID-19 situation subsiding in Taiwan, the government will continue to requisition 8 million surgical face masks per day until the end of July, an economic ministry official said on Monday.

From June 25, transit passengers are allowed at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport with thorough route and monitoring measures in place to prevent coronavirus spread

2020-06-30   Centers for Disease Control

Considering that transit passengers have been allowed at some airports in Hong Kong and Singapore, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) announced a plan concerning transit passengers during the COVID-19 pandemic under the principle of strict border control and eased domestic prevention measures. After the related discussion with relevant government agencies, the MOTC has decided to lift the transit ban at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, and transit passengers will be allowed at the airport starting from 00:00 Taipei Standard Time on June 25.

MOFA adjusts entry regulations for foreign nationals in response to worldwide efforts to resume economic activity and international exchanges following COVID-19 outbreak

2020-06-29   Ministry of Foreign Affairs

As countries around the world are easing COVID-19 lockdown measures and resuming economic activity and international exchanges, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) will gradually adjust regulations concerning foreign nationals’ entry into Taiwan in accordance with decisions and standards set by the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC). These adjustments are being made to accelerate Taiwan’s economic momentum and restore normal living conditions. From June 29, 2020, foreign nationals who wish to travel to Taiwan for reasons other than tourism and regular social visits may apply for a special entry permit with an R.O.C. overseas mission by submitting relevant documents and forms. Applications by students and people wishing to study Mandarin in Taiwan will be handled by the Ministry of Education in line with its related measures.

US, Australia, Japan and Taiwan co-organize Virtual Global Cooperation and Training Framework Workshop on COVID-19: Preparing for the Second Wave

2020-06-29   Centers for Disease Control

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) reported that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread to 187 countries since the first outbreak of the disease in December of 2019. As of now, more than 9.21 million cases have been confirmed with 470,000 deaths reported worldwide. To prepare for the second wave of COVID-19 infection, the U.S., Japan, Australia and Taiwan co-organized the virtual Global Cooperation and Training Framework (vGCTF) workshop on Preparing for the Second Wave on June 24. Several distinguished guests joined the virtual workshop and gave remarks, including the Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung (陳時中), the Minister of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), the Director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) William Brent Christensen (酈英傑), the Chief Representative of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Hiroyasu Izumi (泉裕泰), and the Deputy Representative of Australian Office Taipei Susan Moore (莫蘇善).

MOFA reports Q1 accomplishments on economic diplomacy

2020-06-24   Focus Taiwan

In cooperation with economics-related agencies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has helped increase foreign investment in Taiwan and procurement by foreign companies in the first quarter of the year, compared with the same period of 2019.

Scientific Research Assists Sports Industry:AIoT creates individual AI coach

2020-06-24   Ministry of Science and Technology

Have you ever dreamed about playing badminton with Tzu-ying Tai, the international badminton queen, and Tien-Chen Chou, the badminton prince in Taiwan, or having them as your private coaches to teach you how to perform perfect and admirable skills? The dream may sound unachievable. However, with the help of AI (artificial intelligence)-assisted system, the dream will come true by high-tech analysis of swing trajectory and foodworks and the monitoring of fatigue indices when you are playing the sport. Such AI-based technologies and devices will help you improve your badminton skills scientifically and precisely, and become your “ubiqutious coach” via recording the whole training process.