Premier Lai Ching-te attended a roundtable meeting for Taiwanese entrepreneurs today, saying the economy improved last year in many ways thanks to the hard work of people across the country. He encouraged businesses to continue partnering with the government in growing the economy and building an environment of peace and prosperity for all.

President Tsai Ing-wen hosted a luncheon on January 16 for the ROC delegation that represented Taiwan at the 2017 APEC Economic Leaders' Week to thank them for their hard work at APEC.

President Tsai Ing-wen met with a delegation from the US-Taiwan Business Council (USTBC) on the morning of January 16. The president explained to her visitors that Taiwan is pursuing a "5+2 industrial innovation program" and the New Southbound Policy to promote industrial and economic transformation, and will continue to push for tax reform and deregulation this year to create a better investment climate. She also said she hopes to work with them to increase Taiwan-US trade and investment.

Following an Office of Science and Technology briefing on its action plan for artificial intelligence (AI) at today’s Cabinet meeting, Premier Lai Ching-te observed that the plan’s objective is to build on Taiwan’s present advantages and use AI to hasten implementation of the “five plus two” innovative industries policy.

Premier Lai Ching-te said today that green energy is a new driver of transformation in Taiwan’s energy structure and an engine of economic growth following a Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) briefing on progress and results of its green energy technology and industry innovation plan at this morning’s Cabinet meeting.

President Tsai Ing-wen said Jan. 15 that information security is a core component of Taiwan’s national development strategy and the government is committed to providing a firm foundation for the expansion of high-tech emerging industries by fostering robust infrastructure and expertise in this field.

President Tsai Ing-wen recently sent a letter to Pope Francis of the Catholic Church in response to the Papal Message for World Day of Peace 2018.

President Tsai Ing-wen recently responded to Pope Francis’s papal message for World Day of Peace 2018, supporting his call to embrace those fleeing from war and hunger, or forced by discrimination, persecution, poverty and environmental degradation to leave their homelands.

President Tsai Ing-wen said Jan. 9 that amid the challenges and opportunities in the Asia-Pacific, all countries need to work together to ensure the peaceful and stable status quo of the region.

The situation in East Asia has recently changed dramatically, including frequent regional military actions by North Korea and China that are creating tensions in other countries. China also recently—unilaterally and without negotiations—began to use the M503 and other controversial aviation routes, seriously impacting regional security and stability and air traffic safety.