Headline News
Arrival of French delegation signifies changing Taiwan-France relations
The information the visiting French senate delegation will take back to France could become an important reference for shaping future Taiwan-France relations, Wu Chih-chung, Taiwan’s representative to France, said on June 7.
Joel Guerriau, vice chairman of the French Senate Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee and vice chairman of the Taiwan Friendship Group, arrived in Taiwan on June 8. Guerriau is leading a group of lawmakers including Vincent Eble, vice chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and Senators Sylvie Goy-Chavent, Dany Wattebled, and Ludovic Haye.
In France’s strategic report on the Indo-Pacific region released in February, Taiwan was mentioned several times and recognized as a key economic and trade partner for the first time ever, he said.
US to sell US$120 million in naval equipment to Taiwan
The U.S. has approved the possible sale of US$120 million in spare parts and technical assistance for Taiwan’s Navy amid increased provocative military activity by Chinese warships near Taiwan.
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense on June 9 announced the US$120 million arms sale for “naval ship spare parts and related technical support.” The ministry said that the sale is means to help Taiwan keep its naval vessels properly equipped and replenished, and that the deal is expected to take effect next month.
In a press release that was issued, the Ministry of National Defense pointed out that the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on June 8 that it would sell “unclassified spare and repair parts for ships and ship systems; logistical technical assistance; U.S. Government and contractor representative technical and logistical support; and other related elements of logistical and program support.” The agency stated that it delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale that day.
Taiwan signs judicial cooperation agreement with Slovakia
Taiwan inked a judicial cooperation agreement with Slovakia on Wednesday 8 June. In a ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) building, Taiwan representative to Slovakia David Nan-yang Lee and Slovakia’s envoy to Taiwan Martin Podstavek signed the Arrangement on Judicial Cooperation in Civil and Commercial Matters. Foreign Minister Joseph Wu and the members of the visiting Slovakia parliament delegation, including Deputy Speaker Milan Laurencik and head of the Taiwan Friendship Group, Peter Osusky, presided over the event.
Wu said in a speech that the agreement marks an “extraordinary milestone” and allows the two countries to cooperate more closely in judicial matters. He noted that this is the first such arrangement for Taiwan and the fifth agreement signed between Taiwan and Slovakia.
Business & Economy
Taiwan’s May exports continue 23-month growth streak
Taiwan’s exports recorded the 23rd month of continuous rises in May, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) on June 8.
The US$42.08 billion reported for the month amounted to a rise of 12.5% from May 2021. The latest figures were the second highest ever for a single month, only behind the record US43.5 billion in March 2022.
May imports broke a record for a single month, reaching US$39.68 billion, a rise of 26.7% from the same month last year. Taiwan’s export total for the first five months of the year amounted to US$204.48 billion, an increase of 20.1% compared to January-May 2021.
Taiwan minister to attend BIO International 2022 in San Diego
Science & Technology Minister Wu Tsung-tsong will lead a delegation to attend the BIO International Convention in San Diego, California, the largest biotechnology fair in the world.
The convention will take place June 13-16 with Taiwan presenting its own pavilion after two years of absence because of the COVID19 pandemic. The country is expected to showcase its potential in biomedicine and its cross-disciplinary innovation.
During the fair, the Taiwan delegation will consult overseas experts about biotech R&D and policies in order to
