The five-plus-two innovative industries initiative has achieved fruitful results amid geopolitical challenges such as the U.S.-China trade friction and the COVID-19 pandemic over the past few years, according to the Cabinet-level National Development Council Jan. 17.

A total of 52 draft amendments to the Immigration Act were approved by the Executive Yuan Jan. 12, spotlighting government commitment to advancing immigrants’ human rights, attracting foreign professionals to Taiwan and raising penalties for immigration-related crime.

The 2022 New Southbound Policy Elite Study Program wrapped up Jan. 6 in Taipei City, underscoring the government’s commitment to strengthening mutual understanding and people-to-people connections with NSP target countries.

At Thursday’s Cabinet meeting, the Council of Agriculture (COA) delivered a report on the results of disease prevention work carried out during the last few years against several major animal diseases. Premier Su Tseng-chang noted that Taiwan has recorded no cases of goat pox for more than 10 years, has successfully prevented African swine fever from entering its borders and has eradicated foot-and-mouth disease from the nation. Meanwhile, Taiwan continues to make great strides toward ending vac

Dynamic, professional and resilient diplomacy under the government’s leadership has helped Taiwan expand its international presence while strengthening cooperation with allies and like-minded countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Dec. 23.

Taiwan is committed to standing in solidarity with democracies around the world in urging China to respect human rights, Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu said Dec. 6.

Taiwan, Australia, Japan and the U.S. held the annual Global Cooperation and Training Framework Joint Committee Meeting Dec. 7 in Taipei City, reviewing the results of 2022’s workshops and planning for the year ahead.

At Thursday's Cabinet meeting, Premier Su Tseng-chang received a briefing from the Ministry of Labor (MOL) on Taiwan’s participation in the WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition, which concluded in Austria last month. Taiwanese competitors performed exceptionally well, winning 6 gold, 13 silver and 6 bronze medals, and taking home an additional 17 medallions for excellence, coming in third overall out of the 57 participating members.

The Taiwan-Southeast Asia Vegetable Germplasm Initiative kicked off Dec. 6 in the southern city of Tainan, highlighting the government’s commitment to conserving and sharing plant strains while increasing crop diversity in Southeast Asia.

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.