The United States Department of State released a joint statement on the 32nd Australia-US Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) on December 6 (US eastern time). In the statement, the United States and Australia reaffirmed Taiwan’s role as a leading democracy in the Indo-Pacific, an important regional economy, and a crucial player in supply chains.

A forum enhancing public-private partnership to promote exchange between local nongovernmental organizations and their international counterparts was staged in Taipei City Dec. 5, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The international review of the fourth national report on the implementation of the U.N. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) wrapped up Dec. 2 in Taipei City, highlighting Taiwan’s efforts to ensure women’s rights on all fronts.

Premier Su Tseng-chang on Monday attended the opening ceremony for the review meeting of the fourth national report under the U.N. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Since the Enforcement Act of Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women was enacted in 2011, Taiwan has compiled four associated national reports.

On November 28, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced that it will loosen its mask-wearing rules and related epidemic prevention measures on December 1; related details are listed below.

The government and people of Taiwan extended their warmest congratulations Nov. 24 to Dato’ Seri Haji Anwar bin Ibrahim, who was appointed Malaysia’s 10th prime minister, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

At Thursday’s Cabinet meeting, Premier Su Tseng-chang received a briefing on Taiwan’s participation in the 2022 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings. The premier directed relevant ministries and agencies to continue using the meetings as a platform for maintaining ties with Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) member nations and to vigorously drum up support for Taiwan’s inclusion.

The recent comments by leaders of Japan, the U.S., Australia and South Korea in support of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are deeply appreciated by the government and people, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

A 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck the southwestern part of Cianjur Regency in Indonesia’s West Java Province this afternoon, leaving at least 46 people dead and hundreds injured. Numerous buildings were destroyed and roads were blocked by landslides. Indonesia has not issued a tsunami warning.

Acting on behalf of President Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. founder Morris Chang attended the 29th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) in Bangkok, Thailand. He held bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at 16:40 on November 18 local time (Taiwan time 17:40) to exchange views on a wide range of issues of common concern.