The staunch support shown by like-minded partners for Taiwan’s bid to participate as an observer in the 71st World Health Assembly is sincerely appreciated by the government and people, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs May 15.

Premier Lai Ching-te on Tuesday convened a press conference to introduce major elements of a proposed new economy immigration bill drafted to respond to Taiwan’s low birth rate and ensure that the nation has the professional talent and workforce to meet the needs of ongoing industrial development. The purpose of the proposed legislation, said the premier, is to provide for the active recruitment and retention of the talent and labor necessary to carry forward continued national development,

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs thanks the United States, Canada, Japan, and the European Union (EU) for taking a firm stance in publicly supporting Taiwan’s attendance at the 71st World Health Assembly (WHA), and for the expressions of regret and disappointment that the US and Canada have made regarding the fact that Taiwan has received no invitation to date.

The Indo-Pacific Affairs Section was launched by Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu May 11 in Taipei City, underscoring the government’s commitment to expanding exchanges and strengthening relations between Taiwan and countries throughout the region.

Taiwan’s bid for observer status at the 71st World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of the World Health Organization, won strong public backing May 8 from like-minded partners the U.S. and EU.

President Tsai Ing-wen congratulated May 11 newly sworn-in Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad following a landmark election in which the opposition Pakatan Harapan coalition won a parliamentary majority for the first time.

Premier Lai Ching-te on Thursday said that the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program and the green energy industry are both important policy objectives of President Tsai Ing-wen, and the Executive Yuan must work hard on implementation to produce tangible results that make a difference in people’s lives.

Taiwan’s noninvitation to the 71st World Health Assembly in Geneva is regretted by the government and people of Taiwan, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs May 7.

The inappropriate and irresponsible statements by mainland Chinese authorities in obstructing Taiwan’s participation in the 71st World Health Assembly were strongly protested May 7 by the Mainland Affairs Council.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) expresses its sincere gratitude to diplomatic allies, the United States and other like-minded countries, distinguished domestic and overseas medical professionals, and international public health organizations for supporting Taiwan’s participation in the 71st World Health Assembly (WHA), and for urging the World Health Organization (WHO) to invite Taiwan to the event.