Prime Minister Christopher Luxon of New Zealand visited the Republic of Korea (ROK) from September 4 to 5. After a bilateral meeting with ROK President Yoon Suk Yeol on September 4, the two countries issued a joint statement reaffirming the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) expresses strong affirmation of and sincere appreciation for their support.

A short film encouraging the United Nations to give Taiwan a voice at the upcoming 79th General Assembly was released Sept. 3 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A delegation from Taiwan led by National Security Council Senior Advisor Lee Yuh-jye attended the Sydney Dialogue Sept. 2 in the Australian city, underscoring Taiwan’s commitment to leveraging digital technologies to reinforce democracy, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

As the Philippine Coast Guard patrol vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) was preparing to raise anchor at Sabina Shoal on August 31, it was deliberately rammed multiple times in intimidating and dangerous maneuvers by a China Coast Guard vessel. This marked the third confrontation between the two sides in the same maritime area in recent days.

US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and New Zealand Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Bede Corry met for the New Zealand-United States Strategic Dialogue in Auckland on August 30. They reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, encouraged the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues, and expressed grave concern over China’s provocative actions toward Philippine vessels in the South China Sea.

On August 25, official vessel no. 3002 of the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, heading from Hasa Hasa Shoal toward Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea to carry out a humanitarian supply replenishment, was surrounded by eight Chinese military and coast guard vessels. The Chinese vessels proceeded to engage in dangerous maneuvers, including approaching at close range, spraying water cannons, and even ramming the Philippine vessel.

Two groups of young agricultural ambassadors from Taiwan will visit Thailand and Malaysia starting Aug. 26 and Sept. 1, respectively, under the government’s Young Agricultural Ambassadors New Southbound Policy Exchange Program, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Premier Cho Jung-tai said that the government would continue its practice of introducing artificial intelligence technology to government agencies and various industries to work toward the goal of benefiting the whole of society.

The Australian Senate on August 21 passed an urgency motion stating that United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758 does not establish the People’s Republic of China’s sovereignty over Taiwan. The motion added that the resolution determines neither the future status of Taiwan in the United Nations nor Taiwanese participation in UN agencies or international organizations.

The “Building Climate Change Resilience for Small Island States” workshop was held Aug. 15-16 in Tuvalu under the Global Cooperation and Training Framework to address pressing global issues and solutions.