To prepare for next November’s third-round mutual evaluation by the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG), the government has invited the intergovernmental organization Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering, the APG itself, and international experts from Australia and elsewhere to come to Taiwan to conduct a simulated evaluation of public institutions and make pertinent recommendations.

Premier Lai Ching-te called a year-end news conference today to outline the Executive Yuan’s policies for creating a peaceful and contented society, raising the national birth rate, and balancing development across Taiwan—three key pillars that comprise the Cabinet’s policy vision and outlook for the future.

The Republic of China (Taiwan) and Caribbean diplomatic ally Haiti inked Dec. 19 a letter of intent to expand cooperation on environmental protection, highlighting growing mutual beneficial exchanges between the two sides, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Taiwan and Indonesia signed Dec. 20 an agreement to foster cooperation in geodesy and geomatics, the scientific fields concerned with measuring the Earth and gathering, storing and processing geographical information, respectively, according to the Ministry of the Interior.

Taiwan and India concluded a memorandum of understanding on industrial collaboration Dec. 14 in New Delhi, underscoring the two sides’ commitment to strengthening trade and investment ties, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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.