In response to a question at the Regional Outlook Forum 2025 held on January 9 by Singaporean think tank the Yusof Ishak Institute, Philippine Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo stated that the Philippines held a staunch position that the Taiwan Strait issue should be resolved through peaceful means. The Philippines is located close to Taiwan and hundreds of thousands of Filipinos live and work in Taiwan.
Last year’s New Southbound Policy Elite Study Program ended with a ceremony Jan. 7 in Taipei City, underscoring the government’s commitment to strengthening mutual understanding and people-to-people connections with NSP target countries.
At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a National Science and Technology Council briefing on a plan to create a “new Silicon Valley” in the greater southern region of Taiwan. The premier said the plan will drive a new vision for southern Taiwan, noting that advancements in technology are opening up new opportunities for domestic industries.
A new set of guidelines to achieve a smart country is to be launched in the first half of 2025, underscoring the government’s commitment to forging a digitalized society.
Premier Cho Jung-Tai convened the 31st meeting of the Cabinet-level Gender Equality Committee Dec. 30 in Taipei City to review 2024’s progress in government policy measures.
Taiwan has attained record recognition and support in 2024 on the strength of the government’s steadfast, integrated and values-based diplomacy and the hard work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and associated overseas offices to defend the nation’s dignity, interests and sovereignty, as well as the rights of its people.
Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh passed away on December 26. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) extends sincere condolences over his passing and has instructed the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC) in India to convey its sympathies to the government of India on behalf of the people and government of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will broadcast the 2024-2025 Taipei 101 New Year’s Eve fireworks live to the world via international satellite starting from 23:55 on December 31, Taipei time. The satellite broadcast information has been provided to download and play for local TV stations and online media through various ROC Taiwan missions around the world. It has also been provided to international media reporters based in Taiwan for broadcast.
UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Lammy and Secretary of State for Defence John Healey met with Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles for the Australia-UK Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN) in London on December 16.
Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong on December 14 posted a message on her X account thanking Taiwan, the United States, Japan, and New Zealand for working with Australia to support the Tuvalu section of the Central Pacific Cable, which made landfall recently.
