Headline News
International media visit to Taiping
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Bruce J.D. Linghu has led an international group of 12 journalists on a one-day trip to Taiping Island on March 23. The journalists belonged to renowned global news outlets such as Agence France-Presse, Al Jazeera, Associated Press, Bloomberg, CNN, Financial Times, Kyodo News, Reuters and The Wall Street Journal.
During lunch, which was made completely out of local products, the journalists learned about the rich history of Taiping Island. The group also visited a post office, solar power facilities, the Guanyin Temple and Nansha Hospital, which provided medical aid for Taiwanese and foreign nationals in 23 cases between 2000 and 2015.
Upon their return to Taiwan, President Ma Ying-jeou addressed the media group. He said that Taiping Island fully deserves the classification of island and that “the goal of the ROC government’s management of Taiping Island is to transform it into an island for peace and rescue operations, as well as an ecologically friendly and low-carbon island.”
Taiwan offers condolences to Brussels
Following the terrorist attacks in Brussels on March 22, both President Ma Ying-jeou and president-elect Tsai Ing-wen offered their condolences to the Belgian government, the victims and their families on behalf of the government and people of Taiwan.
As a gesture of mourning for the victims of the bombings, the Taipei 101, Taiwan’s tallest building, was illuminated in the colors of Belgium’s national flag on March 23. Similar displays were put on by Paris’ Eiffel Tower, Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate, Rome’s Trevi Fountain and Dubai’s Burj Khalifa.
Cross-Strait Relations
Justice Minister visits mainland China
Justice Minister Luo Ying-shay has embarked on a five-day visit to mainland China on March 28. Luo is the first Justice Minister to visit mainland China in an official capacity.
The Minister was invited by the Supreme People’s Procuratorate of mainland China based on a cross-strait agreement on joint-crime fighting and mutual judicial assistance. She will call on China’s judicial agencies, deliver a speech at the National Prosecutors College and talk with Taiwanese businessmen based in mainland China.
International Relations
Taiwan thanks Obama for INTERPOL bill support
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs thanked U.S. President Barack Obama in a statement released on March 19 for his support of Taiwan’s participation in the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) as observer. The President signed a bill to solidify this support into law on March 18.
The bill directs the U.S. Secretary of State to develop a strategy to assist Taiwan in obtaining observer status at INTERPOL, to direct INTERPOL Washington to request such status for Taiwan and to urge INTERPOL members to back Taiwan’s bid and participation, all within 90 days of its enactment.
MOFA stated that the bill underscores the importance the U.S. places on Taiwan’s expanded participation in international organizations. President-elect Tsai Ing-wen also expressed her gratitude to Obama and stated that she would continue to pursue Taiwan’s participation in international organizations after she assumes power.
Society
Taiwan moves up in World Happiness Report
Taiwan has been ranked as the 35th happiest country in the world in the latest World Happiness Report released by Sustainable Development Solutions Network in the lead up to the March 20 World Happiness Day. Taiwan is now the fifth happiest country in the Asia-Pacific region.
By using Gallup World Poll data, the report evaluates the progress of 156 countries and territories in the areas of generosity, gross domestic product per capita, freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy, perceptions of corruption and social support. Taiwan scored 6.379 points across these indicators, compared to a global average of 2.33.
