President Tsai Ing-wen convened Jan. 7 a national security meeting in response to dramatic changes in East Asia and the recent unilateral launch of four air routes by mainland China, issuing several directives and calling for the matter to be resolved through fast-tracked cross-strait negotiations.
A Vietnamese language version of the New Southbound Policy Portal operated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was unveiled Jan. 5 as part of ongoing government efforts to raise regional awareness of the NSP.
The people of Taiwan will find it easier to exercise their direct civil rights following the Jan. 3 promulgation of amendments to the Referendum Act, according to the Central Election Commission.
Regarding mainland China’s unilateral launch of the northbound M503 flight route and W121, W122, and W123 flight routes without negotiations between the two sides across the Taiwan Strait, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) issued the following solemn statement on January 4
A national flag-raising ceremony took place Jan. 1 on Taiping Island in the Nansha (Spratly) Islands, underscoring the unwavering determination of the Republic of China (Taiwan) government to safeguard the country’s territory, according to the Cabinet-level Coast Guard Administration.
Taiwan’s landmark Taipei 101 hosted its annual New Year’s Eve fireworks show, welcoming 2018 with an impressive display of color, light and sound that attracted more than 1 million spectators from home and abroad.
The New Southbound Policy service center was launched by the Cabinet-level Office of Trade Negotiations Jan. 2 in Taipei City, providing Taiwan-based businesses with key information on various programs under the initiative and highlighting economic opportunities in target countries.
The government is committed to implementing economically inclusive and environmentally friendly development strategies, in line with international practices such as the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, Premier Lai Ching-te said Dec. 25.
The government is considering the creation of a dedicated immigration law to tackle Taiwan’s manpower shortage, according to the National Development Council Dec. 28.
The Executive Yuan’s Office of Trade Negotiations will inaugurate a New Southbound service center in January to offer additional services to the public.
