Foreign students are benefiting from the nation’s vocational education expertise.

The Center for Southeast Asia Research was launched Jan. 18 at the National University of Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan with the goal of advancing implementation of the government’s New Southbound Policy.

Direct flights between Taichung City and Ho Chi Minh City operated by Vietnamese budget airline Vietjet Air officially launched Jan. 15, marking a major milestone in the central Taiwan city’s efforts toward becoming a major gateway for international tourists.

Taiwan and India signed a letter of intent for cooperation on railway heritage Dec. 24 in southern Taiwan’s Chiayi City, the latest in a series of measures to forge closer collaboration between the two nations in line with the government’s New Southbound Policy, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Annual passenger traffic at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport topped 40 million Dec. 13 for the first time in the facility’s 37-year history, with the figure expected to rise 9.09 percent year on year to 42 million by the end of 2016, according to airport officials.

The India-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Forum, founded Dec. 16 in New Delhi, will play a key role in promoting mutually beneficial collaboration and exchanges between the two sides, according to the Republic of China (Taiwan) Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Taiwan and Australia amended the bilateral Air Services Annex Dec. 15 in Taipei City, a significant step forward in opening up the skies between the two sides, according to the Civil Aeronautics Administration.

Foreign scholars presented their research results Dec. 13 at the National Central Library in Taipei City as part of the 2016 Taiwan Fellowship program, a public diplomacy initiative intended to facilitate connections with overseas academics and opinion makers.