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.

More branches of foreign nongovernmental organizations have been established in Taiwan as part of the government’s commitment to deepening the country’s ties with the democratic world, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nov. 1.

The NSP Film Festival wrapped up Oct. 30 at SPOT-Huashan cinema in Taipei City, underscoring the government’s commitment to strengthening cultural exchanges with New Southbound Policy target countries, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Oct. 31.

The EU-Taiwan LGBTI Human Rights Conference took place Oct. 27-28 in Taipei City, reflecting the commitment of both sides to promoting and protecting equal rights for all.

A suspension bridge over the river Machchhu in Morbi in India’s western state of Gujarat suddenly collapsed at around 21:00 Taipei time on October 30 during a religious celebration. To date, at least 130 people are known to have died in this tragic accident.

The backing of the global community for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the International Criminal Police Organization is sincerely appreciated by the government and people, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Oct. 22.