The Executive Yuan on Thursday approved draft amendments to portions of the Patent Act to create a more robust patent protection system and promote industrial innovation.

In remarks Thursday following a presentation by the National Development Council (NDC) on planning for smart government, Premier Lai Ching-te said that accelerating the digital transformation of government is an important policy for Taiwan to match developments within the international community.

Taiwan's government has decided to donate US$500,000 to Indonesia to support relief efforts in the wake of a volcanic eruption and deadly tsunami over the weekend that left hundreds dead, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) announced Tuesday.

The national languages development act was passed by the Legislature Dec. 25 in Taipei City, paving the way for enhanced efforts to preserve and promote Taiwan’s linguistic diversity.

Public and private sector efforts to promote the country’s bid for meaningful participation in the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change shined a global spotlight on the many ways Taiwan can help advance sustainable development, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dec. 24.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) expresses regret over the inability of the World Health Organization Secretariat, following seven months of consultations, to formulate a mutually acceptable and dignified arrangement for the Taiwan government to donate US$1 million to WHO efforts in fighting Ebola in Africa. MOFA has therefore decided to suspend this donation.

Premier Lai Ching-te visited a livestock farm in Taichung on Sunday to inspect pig feed cooking equipment, saying“African swine fever (ASF) prevention” is more than a slogan; it requires central government, local officials, and hog farms across the nation to thoroughly execute all disease prevention measures. He again called on the public to refrain from purchasing pork-related products from China or visiting infected hog farms there.

The 2019 National Development Plan was approved by the Cabinet Dec. 20, charting the course for Taiwan’s continued prosperity amid global trade uncertainties and rapid expansion of the digital economy.

On December 21, the Council of Agriculture (COA) of the Executive Yuan and the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI) jointly held the 2018 “Executive Committee Meeting (2/2018) and 15th General Assembly Meeting” of APAARI at the Academia Sinica in Taipei.

Premier Lai Ching-te on Thursday traveled to the offshore island of Kinmen to observe the status of the mini-three links (direct trade, postal and transport links with China) and customs inspections of incoming plants and animal products aimed at preventing the spread of African swine fever (ASF) to Taiwan.