Taiwan has been faced with many challenges in terms of diplomacy in 2020, despite this, MOFA has continued to uphold Taiwan’s sovereignty, dignity and rights, raising Taiwan’s international profile and forging connections around the world.
1. Taiwan-US Stronger relationship: including US Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar II and Under Secretary of State Keith Krach visited Taiwan, the inaugural US-Taiwan Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue, joint initiatives on education, science and technology and cooperation in infrastructure financing in New South bound Policy countries, and seven virtual Global Cooperation and Training Framework workshops
2.Pandemic-Prevention Performance: including 50 million surgical face masks and other PPE donated to over 80 countries around the world, increased engagement with other countries on pandemic-prevention cooperation, MOFA Minister gave 50 interviews to international media, former Vice President Chen Chien-jen gave testimony to a UK Parliamentary Committee, and digital Minister Audrey Tang’s participated in a range of virtual meetings with government officials, think tanks and schools in the US, Canada, Japan and Europe.
3.Closer Taiwan-Europe ties: including Senate President Miloš Vystrčil of the Czech Republic led a delegation to Taiwan, exchange and cooperation with Europe in the wake of EU’s Europe-Asia Connectivity Strategy, President Tsai Ing-wen gave opening addresses for the Copenhagen Democracy Summit, President Tsai and Minister Joseph Wu addressed the Forum 2000 Conference, and Parliaments of several European countries expressed their support for Taiwan.
New Overseas Offices: New offices in Somaliland, Guam and Aix En Provence this year.
5.Global support for Taiwan: including European Formosa Club expanded its ranks to over 100 members from over 10 countries, Taiwan-friendly parliamentarians in Latin America and Africa established their own chapters, with 144 members from 17 countries and 181 members from 29 countries respectively, the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) expressed support for Taiwan and for the Taiwan Model of pandemic prevention, and 1,700 parliamentarians from over 80 countries called for Taiwan’s inclusion in the WHO during the resumed WHO session.
6.Global Profile: including US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen openly expressed thanks to Taiwan, over 3,500 positive international media reports this year, President Tsai won 2020 ALEC International Pioneer Award and was listed by TIME Magazine as one of the most influential leaders this year, and Taiwan shortlisted for The Economist Country of the Year.
