News

Relief package drafted to counter coronavirus impact on the arts

2020-02-19   Ministry of Culture

In response to the projected consequences of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, the Ministry of Culture has been working on mapping out the necessary precautions required for Ministry-affiliated venues while drafting a relief package to alleviate the outbreak's impact on culture and the arts.

Taiwan evacuees from Wuhan released after quarantine

2020-02-19   Taiwan Today

A total of 246 Taiwan nationals and family members evacuated from Wuhan, China, earlier this month amid a COVID-19 outbreak were released from quarantine Feb. 18 after completing their 14-day mandatory stay at one of three facilities around the country.

Tsai thanks allies for supporting Taiwan’s international participation

President Tsai Ing-wen thanked Central American allies Belize and Guatemala as well as Caribbean ally Haiti Feb. 18 for backing Taiwan’s participation in the activities, mechanisms and meetings of international organizations.

No community-level transmission of coronavirus in Taiwan: VP

2020-02-18   Focus Taiwan

There is no community-level transmission of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Taiwan, despite the nation reporting its first death from the virus Sunday, Vice President Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁), an epidemiologist by profession, said Monday.

To strengthen community-based surveillance, groups with foreign travel or contact history or other groups of potential risks included in COVID-19 testing procedure

2020-02-18   Ministry of Health and Welfare

On February 16, 2020, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) indicated that in response to the expanding global outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), in order to early detect suspected cases and prevent community-based and nosocomial spread, the community-based surveillance measure has been expanded to include the following individuals since February 16.

MOFA welcomes Philippine government’s decision to lift travel ban, and calls on WHO to rectify inappropriate classification of Taiwan

2020-02-17   Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) welcomes the decision made by the government of the Republic of the Philippines on February 14 to immediately lift the travel ban on Taiwanese nationals that was recently imposed in response to the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. MOFA thanks all agencies and individuals that provided assistance in bringing about this positive development.

Taiwan expanding travel record data, health ID card integration

2020-02-17   Focus Taiwan

The recent addition of travel data to National Health Insurance (NHI) smart cards indicating individuals who have recently traveled to China, Hong Kong, and Macau is to be expanded to include two new countries, the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) said Sunday.

Henan and Zhejiang listed as Level 1 Area; travel notice level for Japan raised to Level 1: Watch

2020-02-15   Taiwan Centers for Disease Control

On February 14, 2020, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced that more than 1,000 cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have occurred in Henan and Zhejiang, China, respectively, and community-based transmission in the affected areas is hard to control.

Philippines lifts travel ban against Taiwan

2020-02-15   Focus Taiwan

The Philippine government on Friday decided to lift its travel ban against Taiwan following an internal debate, capping off a week of uncertainty over the fate of travel ties between the two countries amid the coronavirus epidemic.

Former health ministers back petition on Taiwan’s WHO admission

2020-02-14   Focus Taiwan

A cross-party group of five former Taiwanese health ministers on Thursday urged the public to support a petition calling for Taiwan’s admission to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Government to roll out relief measures to counter coronavirus impact

2020-02-14   Executive Yuan

Premier Su Tseng-chang on Thursday announced an initial package of relief measures to quickly aid industries affected by the ongoing outbreak of the Wuhan coronavirus, now officially designated as COVID-19 by the World Health Organization (WHO). The premier said that in addition to immediate economic relief, the government hopes that the measures will lead to improved fundamentals and competiveness among Taiwan’s companies.

Taiwan involvement in WHO meeting unrelated to China: MOFA

2020-02-13   Focus Taiwan

Taiwan’s online participation in a World Health Organization (WHO) forum to fight the novel coronavirus outbreak was made possible through “direct conversation” between Taiwan’s government and the international organization and did not involve the consent of the Chinese government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Wednesday.

Travelers entering Taiwan to be required to complete health declaration form starting February 11

2020-02-13   Ministry of Health and Welfare

On February 11, 2020, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) indicated that cases of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection have been reported in China and 26 other countries with community transmission without obvious origins of infection and a cluster case resulted from an international meeting occurring in countries outside China.

MOFA thanks diplomatic allies and like-minded nations for strongly supporting Taiwan’s WHO participation at the 146th session of the WHO Executive Board

2020-02-12   Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) expresses sincere appreciation for the unprecedented level of support extended to Taiwan’s campaign for participation in the World Health Organization by diplomatic allies and like-minded nations at the 146th session of the WHO Executive Board, which was held from February 3 to 8 at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

Premier thanks postal workers for nationwide delivery of face masks

2020-02-12   Executive Yuan

Premier Su Tseng-chang visited Chunghwa Post Co.’s mail processing center in Taipei on Tuesday to cheer logistics and postal workers as they deliver supplies of face masks to designated pharmacies around Taiwan. He also acknowledged the nation’s mask production workers, pharmacists and assistant pharmacists, thanking all personnel involved in the battle against the Wuhan coronavirus for uniting forces to defend the front lines, and for showing the world the strength of character and the solidarity of the people of Taiwan.

Local experts to take part online in WHO forum

2020-02-11   Focus Taiwan

Taiwan has sent a list of experts to participate online in a World Health Organization (WHO) forum on the global fight against the new coronavirus epidemic for the WHO’s approval, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said Monday.

President Tsai attends the 2020 ICF Top7 Global Cities Announcement/Conference and fields questions from the media

2020-02-11   Office of the President

On the morning of February 10, President Tsai Ing-wen attended the 2020 Intelligent Community Forum Top7 Global Cities Announcement/Conference in Taoyuan. She stated that over the past three-plus years, we have moved steadily toward our goal of becoming a “digital nation and smart island.” In addition, we are also working to promote the development of smart healthcare, smart transportation, and the digital economy. Taiwan will enter the 5G era alongside major countries like Japan, Korea, and the United States, which will generate new solutions for city governance, she said.

Starting February 10, 14-day home quarantine to be required for travelers transiting through China, Hong Kong and Macau and granted entry into Taiwan; restrictions on direct flights to and from China, Hong Kong and Macau to be implemented and flights from certain airports to be suspended

2020-02-10   Ministry of Foreign Affairs

As the recent cumulative total of confirmed cases of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection in China is rapidly growing, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced the following instruction: Starting from 0:00 am of February 10, 2020, travelers who transit through China, Hong Kong and Macau and are granted entry into Taiwan and will be required to be under home quarantine for 14 days.

Taiwanese experts to participate online in WHO global forum

2020-02-10   Focus Taiwan

Taiwanese experts will participate online in a World Health Organization (WHO) forum next week to combat the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak, a WHO official said Saturday, although Taiwan is fighting for greater inclusion.

Taiwan fully commits to fight against Wuhan coronavirus

2020-02-07   Executive Yuan

Premier Su Tseng-chang on Thursday said that the government has taken the lead to combat the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus domestically, closely monitoring developments at every stage and responding forcefully as needed. The premier cautioned the public against panic and called on the people of Taiwan to work together for the good of the nation.

Taiwan’s Foreign Minister blasts WHO for shifting designations

2020-02-07   Focus Taiwan

Taiwan’s foreign minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) on Thursday blasted the World Health Organization (WHO) for repeatedly giving Taiwan “inappropriate designations” and reiterated that Taiwan is not part of China.

Starting February 7, 2020, the Republic of China (Taiwan) will implement a temporary measure prohibiting foreign nationals who in the previous 14 days have visited or resided in the People’s Republic of China (PRC), including Hong Kong and Macao, from entering Taiwan

2020-02-06   Ministry of Foreign Affairs

In view of the fact that the Taiwan government on February 5 designated all areas of the PRC (including Hong Kong and Macao) as being severely affected by the novel coronavirus outbreak (areas of level 2 or higher), foreign nationals who have visited or resided anywhere in the PRC, including Hong Kong and Macao, in the previous 14 days will be temporarily prohibited from entering Taiwan starting February 7.

Taiwan Assures Health and Safety to Visitors During Global Novel Coronavirus Outbreak

2020-02-06   Taiwan External Trade Development Council

In response to the global outbreak of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV or Wuhan Pneumonia), the Taiwan government has taken comprehensive measures to protect the health of the public from the global outbreak.

Starting February 7, 2020, the Republic of China (Taiwan) will implement entry restrictions and visa control measures on foreign nationals who have visited or resided in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in the previous 14 days

2020-02-05   Ministry of Foreign Affairs

In response to the expanding novel coronavirus outbreak, as well as to safeguard public health security and strengthen management of the flow of people entering Taiwan, the Taiwan government will adopt the following measures for foreign nationals seeking to enter the country.

Taiwan complains to WHO for misnumbering coronavirus cases

2020-02-05   Focus Taiwan

Taiwan lodged a protest with the World Health Organization (WHO) after it listed 13 confirmed cases of Wuhan coronavirus for the country under the “Taiwan, China” category in a situation report Tuesday, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said that day.

Over 200 Taiwanese stranded in Wuhan return to Taiwan

2020-02-04   Focus Taiwan

More than 200 Taiwanese nationals arrived at Taoyuan International Airport from Wuhan at around 11:40 p.m. Monday in the first evacuation of Taiwanese from the city at the center of a serious coronavirus epidemic.

Taiwan researchers successfully extract sample of coronavirus

2020-02-04   Focus Taiwan

Taiwanese researchers have successfully extracted a sample of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), which could eventually lead to the development of a vaccine, Health and Welfare Minister Chen Shih-chung (陳時中) said Friday.

Premier: Domestic demand to drive economy in 2020

2020-02-03   Executive Yuan

At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Su Tseng-chang received a report on the nation’s 2020 economic outlook from the National Development Council (NDC). Despite the challenges facing Taiwan this coming year, including the escalating impact of the Wuhan coronavirus as well as economic risks from international trade disputes and geopolitics, the nation’s economy looks set to continue growing on the back of domestic demand, the premier said.

Taiwan blasts WHO amid Italy’s flight ban controversy

2020-02-03   Focus Taiwan

Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) has blasted the World Health Organization (WHO) for treating Taiwan as part of China in the fight against the coronavirus, leading to bans of Taiwan flights, and also accused its officials of living in a “parallel universe.”

President Tsai issues remarks regarding the coronavirus outbreak and responds to questions from the media

2020-01-31   Office of the President

On the afternoon of January 30, President Tsai Ing-wen, accompanied by Vice President Chen Chien-jen, issued remarks in the Entrance Hall of the Presidential Office Building regarding possible impacts that the novel coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China might have on Taiwan’s economy, as well as the response measures the government has drafted. After issuing remarks, President Tsai then took questions from the media.

Taiwan prepares for long battle against new coronavirus

2020-01-31   Focus Taiwan

Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) issued instructions to relevant agencies in preparation for the long battle to contain a new form of coronavirus during a cabinet meeting Thursday, the Executive Yuan said in a press release.

President Tsai meets Head of European Economic and Trade Office Filip Grzegorzewski

2020-01-30   Office of the President

During a meeting with Head of European Economic and Trade Office Filip Grzegorzewski on the morning of January 22, President Tsai Ing-wen thanked the European Union (EU) for its continued concern for Taiwan and cross-strait development. She also expressed hope to continue to deepen cooperation with the EU in all areas, and strengthen economic and trade relations by signing a Taiwan-EU bilateral investment agreement (BIA).

U.S. denounces ICAO for blocking critics supportive of Taiwan inclusion

2020-01-30   Focus Taiwan

The United States House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs on Monday denounced the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for blocking Twitter accounts that criticized ICAO’s continued exclusion of Taiwan during a global public health crisis.