President Tsai Ing-wen delivered her 2020 New Year's Address this morning (January 1) in the Presidential Office reception hall. She stated that in the new year, we are going to unite the Taiwanese people, and continue pressing forward to ensure more people are cared for, keep improving our economy, and make our democracy, freedom, and sovereignty stronger and more sustainable.

A devastating accident involving a Taiwan military Black Hawk helicopter occurred on the morning of January 2, resulting in multiple fatalities. President Tsai Ing-wen proceeded to the recruit training center at the Jinlioujei Barracks in eastern Taiwan's Yilan County in the afternoon to learn more about the progress of rescue efforts and receive briefings.

Vice President Chen Chien-jen, accompanied by Mrs. Chen, met with Palau President Tommy Remengesau, Jr. on the afternoon of December 30. Vice President Chen thanked Palau for speaking up in support of Taiwan over the years at the United Nations and the World Health Assembly. He also expressed hope that Palau will continue to be a firm ally of Taiwan at international venues and that our two countries will join hands and make progress together in the Pacific Ocean.

At noon on December 30, Vice President Chen Chien-jen and his wife hosted a luncheon celebrating the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Palau. The vice president thanked Palau for voicing support for Taiwan's participation in international organizations at international venues and expressed hope that the two countries will continue to maintain close interaction and cooperation.

Deputy Foreign Minister Hsu stated that Taiwan and Palau established formal diplomatic relations on December 29, 1999, making this year the 20th anniversary of our official ties. During those two decades, Palau has been one of our most important allies in the Pacific region, he said, and a long-term supporter of our participation in international organizations.

On the morning of December 13, President Tsai Ing-wen met with Republic of Nauru President Lionel Aingimea and First Lady Aingimea and witnessed the signing of a bilateral aviation services agreement. President Tsai expressed hope that our diplomatic ties will continue to progress through more collaborative projects.

President Tsai Ing-wen welcomed Nauru President Lionel Aingimea and First Lady Aingimea on the morning of December 13 with full military honors. In remarks, the president emphasized that Taiwan and Nauru have continued to deepen our partnership, especially concerning the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

On the morning of December 10, President Tsai Ing-wen presented the 14th Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award to the Diplomacy Training Program and conferred the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon on Mr. Carl Gershman, President of the US National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

President Tsai Ing-wen met with Ian Steff, Assistant Secretary for Global Markets and Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service at the US Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration on the morning of December 9. The president stated that Taiwan plays an irreplaceable role in the global high-tech supply chain.

President Tsai Ing-wen met with Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Chairman Mitsuo Ohashi on the morning of December 3. She mentioned that the 44th Taiwan-Japan Economic and Trade Meeting held a month ago in Tokyo achieved outstanding results, and the two countries signed four MOUs covering areas such as environmental protection and promotion of the import and export of organic foods.