The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed Aug. 7 the sovereignty of the Republic of China (Taiwan) over the South China Sea islands and said the country must be included in any talks on a dispute resolution mechanism.

The inaugural Asia-Pacific Security Dialogue kicked off Aug. 8 in Taipei City, bringing together around 30 senior officials, experts and scholars from across the region to discuss issues related to maritime capacity building and cooperation, security and regional economic integration.

A four-week training course for the 75 participants in the International Youth Ambassador Exchange Program kicked off in Taipei City, preparing the university students for upcoming tours aimed at fostering people-to-people exchanges with countries across South and Southeast Asia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Aug. 1.

Known as the Olympics of the ICT industry, the World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT 2017) will be held on September 10-13 at the Taipei International Convention Center (TICC). Furthermore, 16 parallel events and an exhibition on future technology will also take place at Taipei World Trade Center (TWTC), Exhibition Hall 1.

The Republic of China (Taiwan) and Central American ally Belize inked an agreement on bilateral cooperation July 26, underscoring the strong and steadfast diplomatic relations between the two sides, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The first Ecology, Energy Saving, Waste Reduction and Health building evaluation system certificate was issued July 28 to a firm operating outside Taiwan in recognition of its efforts to improve energy management practices and slash carbon emissions, according to the Ministry of the Interior.

National Taiwan University of Arts’ Da-Guan Dance Theater kicked off a 14-day tour of South and Southeast Asia July 23 with a performance at the Azad Bhavan Auditorium in New Delhi.

Taiwan is an indispensable partner in the global fight against human trafficking, Vice President Chen Chien-jen said at the 11th International Workshop on Strategies for Combating Human Trafficking July 25 in Taipei City.

Taiwan will be hosting the Word Congress on Information Technology 2017 (WCIT 2017), which is also often called the Olympics of the ICT industry, from September 10th to 13th. The goal is to invite at least 90 ICT experts and delegates from 80 countries to participate in the event. It is estimated that more than 2,500 ICT business leaders from around the world will come to Taipei and attend the Congress.

The 10 diplomatic allies of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Central America and the Caribbean are the latest additions to the country’s visa-waiver program, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs July 12.