Taipei, Sept. 11 (CNA) Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) on Wednesday called on all nations in the region to recognize freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea, amid Beijing's maritime expansion and militarization efforts in the contested waters.

A U.S. official on Wednesday expressed concern over reports the Solomon Islands is considering a shift in diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China, saying that maintaining diplomatic partners is one way for Taiwan to ensure it is not isolated from the international community and ensure peace and stability in the region.

A short film spotlighting the ways Taiwan Can Help realize the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2030 was released Sept. 6 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Taiwan Muslim Youth Exchange Program concluded Aug. 30 in Taipei City, affording 42 youths from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore the opportunity to learn more about the country’s economic, political and social development.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is accepting submissions for the Trending Taiwan Short Film Competition from August 31 until October 16. If you like making short films and have a passion for Taiwan, you are welcome to enter, regardless of your age or nationality!

In March of 1997, Taiwan experienced a major outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) that dealt a heavy blow to the domestic pig-farming industry. Now, after more than 20 years of vaccination and other control efforts, Taiwan proper and its outlying island territories of Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu have all been recognized by the World Organisation for Animal Health as FMD-free zones where vaccination is practiced.

Taiwan’s promotion to the regular follow-up list maintained by the Asia-Pacific Group on Money Laundering was confirmed after the country’s mutual evaluation report was adopted at the APG’s annual meeting Aug. 18-23 in Canberra, Australia.

The 74th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly will open on September 17 at UN Headquarters. The General Debate will be held from September 24 to September 30. The Republic of China (Taiwan) government is determined to convey to the international community the aspiration of the 23 million people of Taiwan to participate in the United Nations system, launching the campaign “Taiwan, a Vital Global Partner in the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”

Premier Su Tseng-chang on Saturday led a delegation of 14 central government ministers and agency heads to take part in an event offering sincere thanks to Taiwan’s pork industry for their hard work in helping to prevent African swine fever (ASF) from invading the country.