Taiwan’s foreign policy in 2018 strengthened relations with key partners, defended the country’s sovereignty and values, enhanced travel convenience for the people and raised the nation’s global profile, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dec. 30.

The friendship and support extended to Taiwan by the executive and legislative branches of the U.S. are sincerely appreciated by the government and people, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jan. 1.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) welcomes and appreciates the enactment of the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018 (ARIA) by the United States government.

Premier Lai Ching-te, joined by Vice Premier Shih Jun-ji, Executive Yuan Secretary-General Cho Jung-tai and Executive Yuan Spokesperson Kolas Yotaka, held a year-end press conference on Friday.

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.