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.

In response to a media question at the APEC summit in Thailand on November 18, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) was only for recognized states. The government of Australia has since clarified with Taiwan that its stance on Taiwan’s accession to the CPTPP has not changed and that it continues to welcome the entry of all economies that meet the high standards of the CPTPP, including Taiwan.

Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu said Taiwan is committed to working with like-minded partners such as the U.S. to safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan’s bid for meaningful participation in the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change is receiving strong support from the country’s allies at the 27th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC taking place Nov. 6-18 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu said Taiwan is fully committed to defending itself and safeguarding its homeland, people and sovereignty. He urged China to shoulder responsibility and peacefully resolve cross-strait differences.