The 2024 Migrants Day was organized Dec. 8 in Taipei City by the Ministry of the Interior’s National Immigration Agency and Taipei City Government in recognition of the critical role foreign residents play in Taiwan’s economy and society.

More than 7 million foreign nationals have visited Taiwan as of Dec. 3 this year, with the Ministry of Transportation and Communications’ Tourism Administration expecting the upward trend to continue for the rest of the year.

President Lai Ching-te said Dec. 7 that Taiwan remains firmly committed to freedom, democracy, and human rights and the rule of law in cooperation with the nation’s people to build a just and sustainable country.

People from Taitung used to joke that the place was as boring as it is beautiful. Today, they confidently say instead that it is as flavorful as it is beautiful. While Taitung’s natural scenery may be what draws visitors in, its culinary scene, developed through 12 years of promoting the Slow Food movement, has become, per the definition of a Michelin three-star restaurant, worth a special journey.

“Taiwan’s vibrant hot-spring culture has fostered the development of a saltwater hot spring on Green Island rivaling those of the Japanese island of Kyushu and the Italian island of Sicily.

Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong met with New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters and Minister of Defence Judith Collins in Auckland on December 6 for the second Australia-New Zealand Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations (ANZMIN) this year.