Taiwan smoothly completed democratic elections on January 13 and received heartfelt congratulations from more than 100 countries worldwide. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has noted that since Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. congratulated Taiwan, China has been strongly pressuring the Philippines and making crude and insulting comments.

Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu said Taiwan is committed to enhancing cooperation with its Pacific allies and like-minded partners to counteract authoritarian expansion in the Indo-Pacific and around the world.

Premier Chen Chien-jen said that Taiwan is eager to work with regional neighbors to treat drug addiction and improve social security around the world Jan. 19 in Taipei City.

Engagement with nongovernmental organizations will remain an integral part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ diplomatic work to raise Taiwan’s international profile in 2024, the ministry said Jan. 18.

At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting on Thursday, Premier Chen Chien-jen received a briefing from the Central Election Commission (CEC) on the 16th presidential and 11th legislative elections. The premier said that polls closed on January 13, 2024 and the entire process from the casting of votes to the counting of ballots proceeded peacefully and smoothly, earning a high level of acclaim both at home and abroad, and demonstrating that Taiwan has matured into a model democracy within the Asia region.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu called on the global community to be aware of and prevent China’s attempts to intervene in democratic countries’ elections.

In a wide-ranging discussion with India’s CNN-News18 anchor Zakka Jacob, Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu emphasized hopes for maintenance of the cross-strait status quo, stability in the Indo-Pacific region and for closer ties with India.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will broadcast the 2023-2024 Taipei 101 New Year’s Eve fireworks live to the world via international satellite starting from 23:55 on December 31, Taipei time. The satellite broadcast information has been provided to local TV stations and online media to download and play through various ROC Taiwan missions around the world. It has also been provided to international media reporters based in Taiwan for broadcast.

Premier Chen Chien-jen visited Taoyuan International Airport to inspect measures preventing African swine fever from entering Taiwan Dec. 25, underscoring the government’s dedication to safeguarding the food industry and citizens’ health.

Taiwan has attained record recognition and support in 2023 as a result of the government’s steadfast diplomacy and the hard work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and associated overseas offices to defend national dignity and ensure the rights of the people.