Taichung City-based China Medical University Hospital in central Taiwan was awarded the Friend of Foreign Service Medal by Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu Aug. 29 for advancing the nation’s medical diplomacy.

Indonesian, Thai and Vietnamese language versions of the New Southbound Policy Portal operated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were officially launched Aug. 24 as part of government efforts to promote the regional initiative.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu conferred the Friend of Foreign Service Medal upon China Medical University Hospital (CMUH) on August 29 in recognition of its longstanding participation in international medical affairs and remarkable contributions to promoting medical diplomacy.

Two groups of Taiwan youth agricultural ambassadors will visit Malaysia and Vietnam, respectively, Aug. 26 to Sept. 2 as part of government efforts to foster mutually beneficial exchanges and advance sustainable farming in New Southbound Policy countries, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Premier Lai Ching-te on Thursday congratulated the nation’s delegation to the 2018 Asian Games for their outstanding performance. Taiwan’s athletes have so far won three gold, four silver and eight bronze medals at the ongoing event, which is being held in the Indonesian cities of Jakarta and Palembang.

The international review of Taiwan’s first national report on implementation of the U.N. Convention against Corruption kicked off Aug. 21 in Taipei City, underscoring the country’s commitment to refining measures aimed at ensuring clean governance and corporate practices.

Taiwan's government donated US$250,000 to Indonesia Tuesday to help with relief efforts in the wake of a magnitude 7.0 earthquake that left hundreds of people dead in the popular tourist destination of Lombok.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of a conference of principals from Chinese-language schools in countries targeted by Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy, Premier Lai Ching-te said Monday that Taiwan greatly values exchanges with these nations, and looks forward to future cooperation engendering enduring, mutually beneficial relationships to the advantage of all.

The majority of people in Taiwan disapprove of Beijing’s efforts to suppress the country’s international space, according to a poll released Aug. 16 by the Cabinet-level Mainland Affairs Council.

Premier Lai Ching-te on Friday directed government agencies to step up preparations for Taiwan’s bid for membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).