Taiwan welcomes reiterated support from the European Parliament for the nation’s meaningful international participation, which highlights the long-standing friendship between the two sides, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dec. 14.

Taiwan’s delegation to the 11th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference in Argentina this week joined 70 other WTO members including Singapore, Australia and Japan in announcing its intention to initiate exploratory work toward WTO negotiations on electronic commerce, the Executive Yuan Office of Trade Negotiations said today.

At today’s Cabinet meeting Premier Lai Ching-te said that government and public attention is focused on tourism, and that the government will provide unstinting assistance to bolster the industry. He also called on tourism operators to work together to create a friendlier environment for visitors by aiming for a higher standard of customer experience and customer service.

Premier Lai Ching-te at today’s Cabinet meeting received a briefing from the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) concerning the concluding observations of international experts assembled to review Taiwan’s initial report under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), as well as follow-up actions to be taken by the government.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Dec. 9 the winners of the Taiwan Young Lions Competition, an annual social media contest for youths, during a ceremony at Tamkang University in New Taipei City.

Premier Lai Ching-te today attended a breakfast meeting hosted by Taiwan’s Chinese National Association of Industry and Commerce, where he announced that the nation’s economy is expected to grow 2.58 percent in 2017, and that estimates place next year’s growth at 2 percent or above. The premier also noted that Taiwan’s unemployment rate in October fell to 3.75 percent, which he attributed to the combined efforts of the entire nation.

The 23rd Taiwan-Philippines Joint Economic Conference concluded Dec. 7 in Manila, with public and private sector organizations inking a total of seven pacts on trade and investment.

Rev. George Martinson, a much-loved Jesuit priest from the U.S. who passed away earlier this year in Taipei City, was posthumously honored Dec. 5 by the Ministry of Education for his lifelong efforts to promote English language learning and help the disadvantaged in Taiwan.

The Executive Yuan today approved the National Development Council’s (NDC) draft 2018 National Development Plan, which focuses on nation building and policy execution.

An international workshop exploring ways to bridge the digital divide and enhance broadband penetration in the Asia-Pacific kicked off Dec. 4 in Taipei City, bringing together experts and policymakers from across the region to share information and best practices.