Headline News
Congratulation to President-elect Joe Biden
President Tsai Ing-wen congratulated President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on Sunday, Nov. 8, on their victory in the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election by retweeting a message of congratulations Biden had sent to her on Jan. 12 for her re-election.
Tsai wrote that it was her turn to extend congratulations to Biden and Harris on their election win. She emphasized that the values on which the two countries have built their relationship "could not be stronger."
Tsai closed by saying that she is looking forward to working with the U.S. on furthering the friendship between the two countries and contributions to the international society.
WHO ignores call in support of Taiwan from US, UK, Canada, Japan
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said on Sunday, Nov.8,that it is regrettable that Taiwan had again been excluded from the Nov. 9-14 virtual World Health Assembly (WHA) in disregard of the health of the country's 23 million people.
In spite of a call for Taiwan’s participation by US, UK, Canada and Japan, Taiwan received no invitation for participation.
By excluding Taiwan based on political factors, the World Health Organization (WHO) is acting against its own goal of "health for all," especially at a time when countries around the world are in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic, MOFA said.
MOFA thanks 644 European lawmakers for supporting Taiwan’s WHO bid
A call for Taiwan’s participation in the activities, mechanisms and meetings of the World Health Organization made by 644 European parliamentarians in a letter sent to Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, is deeply appreciated by the government and people, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nov. 5.
According to the letter, Taiwan has won worldwide acclaim for its effective management of the pandemic and timely humanitarian assistance, with the Taiwan Model for combating coronavirus a proven success story. Despite this, Taiwan has been repeatedly denied access to the WHO.
The letter was signed by key members of the European Parliament, as well as lawmakers from 22 EU member states, including the Netherlands.
Economy & Society
Taiwan, Japan, US, The Netherlands stage GCTF workshop on marine debris management
Jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, American Institute in Taiwan and Netherlands Office Taipei, the one-day event addressed developing innovative solutions to waste management issues.
Marine debris poses a serious threat to biodiversity and human safety. As an island nation, Taiwan is willing and able to share its experiences managing the problem, MOFA Deputy Minister Harry Ho-jen Tseng said at the opening of the seminar.
Around 700 attendees from 16 countries and territories took part in the seminar.
Launched in June 2015 by Taiwan and the U.S. to build capacity and strengthen multilateral cooperation, GCTF has grown to include Australia, Japan, Sweden and the Netherlands.
A total of 28 workshops involving 900 plus experts and government officials from around 60 countries have been staged to date under the initiative, spanning areas such as disaster relief, education, environmental protection, humanitarian assistance, public health and women’s empowerment.
Taroko National Park to host music festival on Oct. 24
While in most countries theatres, music festivals and other public cultural performances are halted because of Covid-19, Taroko National Park will hold its annual outdoor music festival on Oct. 24, headlined by Taiwanese pianist Eric Chen and South Korean baritone Ilhun Jung.
The 19th Taroko Music Festival will also feature performances by the Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra, Rainbow Spiral World Percussion, and Taroko and Amis indigenous musicians.
All of the performances will be livestreamed on the park's Facebook and YouTube pages.
