On the morning of February 23, President Tsai Ing-wen met with a delegation led by Executive Director Kanehara Nobukatsu of Japan’s Sasakawa Peace Foundation. The president thanked the Japanese government for reiterating several times at international venues the importance to the international community of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

Representative to the United States Ambassador Alexander Tah-ray Yui and American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Managing Director Ingrid Larson signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on international development cooperation on February 22. The signing was witnessed by representatives from the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and officials from the US State Department.

The U.S. government’s decision to approve an arms sale valued at US$75 million is sincerely welcomed by the government and people of Taiwan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Feb. 22.

The 2024 Tourism Festival Awards Ceremony is taking place today, February 22, 2024, in the Grand Ballroom of the Grand Hotel Taipei, in appreciation and recognition for the commendable efforts of groups and individuals within the domestic and international tourism industry. Their accomplishments stand out as they contribute to the revitalization and vibrancy of Taiwan's tourism, all amidst the challenges posed by the global post-pandemic landscape.

In Nantou County’s Jiji Township, you will see not only many signs for a famous local product, “banana egg rolls,” but just as many statues of leopard cats. This adorable creature that lives in mountain foothills has become consummately integrated into the lives of the area’s residents, so that even locals who have never seen one in the flesh know what it looks like. A street vendor says with a laugh: “It’s thanks to the leopard cat that people come here to visit!”

At the Cabinet’s weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Chen Chien-jen received a National Development Council briefing on the Asia Silicon Valley Development Plan 3.0. The premier said this third phase of the plan will focus on the development of technologies including artificial intelligence, 5G and satellite networks in order to accelerate both the digital transition and net-zero carbon transition of Taiwan’s industries.

On February 21 (US EST), the United States government announced that it had notified Congress of the sale to Taiwan of a US$75 million military package including equipment and support for Link-16 system upgrade planning. Spokesperson Olivia Lin (林聿禪) on February 22 said that the Presidential Office is grateful to the US government for continuing to fulfill its security commitments in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances.

On the morning of February 22, President Tsai Ing-wen met with a bipartisan congressional delegation from the United States House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (Select Committee on the CCP) led by Chairman Mike Gallagher. In remarks, President Tsai said that the Select Committee on the CCP published Ten for Taiwan last year, a report of policy recommendations, showing the importance it attaches to Taiwan’s security.