Speaking Friday at the Double Tenth National Day celebration themed “A New Taiwan Rises in a Time of Change,” Lai called 2025 a year of Taiwan’s rise. While the world faces conflicts and economic shocks, he said, the people of Taiwan have stayed resilient and achieved “an economic performance that has impressed the world.”

Lai described Taiwan’s semiconductor, ICT, and electronic component sectors as the country’s collective assets, forged through decades of industrial effort. “My mission as president,” he said, “is to protect these valuable achievements and use them to advance both Taiwan’s and the world’s growth.” He announced three national strategies to sustain Taiwan’s competitiveness: expanding domestic investment, deepening international economic and trade cooperation, and building a “chain of guardian mountains” to strengthen industrial capabilities.

To adapt to the digital age, Lai said his administration would launch “Ten New AI Infrastructure Projects” to solidify Taiwan’s leadership in global technology. The government will also develop Taiwan into an “Asian asset management hub,” attracting foreign investment while retaining domestic capital to drive financial growth.

Lai added that biotechnology and pharmaceuticals are key national industries under the “National Project of Hope,” with a NT$10 billion (US$327 million) fund to spur innovation and make biomedicine another of Taiwan’s “guardian mountains.”

Source: RTI

In a speech titled “A New Taiwan Rises in a Time of Change,” Lai noted that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, a lesson that remains fresh in global memory. He expressed hope that China would renounce the use of force to alter the status quo across the Taiwan Strait so both sides can jointly safeguard peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

Lai also recalled that September 10 marked a historic milestone when the number of days Taiwan has lived free from martial law officially surpassed those under it—symbolizing a full departure from authoritarianism and an embrace of democracy and hope. He said Taiwan, forged through hardship, stands as a beacon of light for others.

“Democratic Taiwan is a crucial link for the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific and a responsible member of the international community,” Lai said. “We will uphold the status quo, ensure cross-strait peace, and promote the region’s prosperity. We look forward to the day when China takes responsibility as a major power and ceases distorting UN Resolution 2758 and World War II history.”

He also highlighted Taiwan’s strong economic performance, pledging continued investment in semiconductors, ICT, and biotechnology to usher the nation into an era of smart innovation. Lai said the new defense budget would accelerate high-tech defense development, strengthen cooperation with allies, and build trust among free democracies.

Concluding his remarks, Lai thanked the “superheroes of disaster relief” who aided recovery efforts after recent disasters, saying their compassion reflects the greatness of Taiwan. He vowed to lead the nation with unity and courage toward a brighter future.

Source: RTI

In Ankara, Representative Huang Chih-yang (黃志揚) told Turkish officials and business leaders that Taiwan remains resilient amid global challenges, noting that the island produces more than 90 percent of the world’s AI servers and chips. Speaking in Turkish, Huang said Taiwan’s trade surpluses with both the United States and China are projected to exceed US$100 billion each by 2025. He also presented the Grand Medal of Diplomacy to former Turkish Trade Office representative Muhammed Berdibek for advancing Taiwan–Turkey relations.

In Wellington, Representative Joanne Ou (歐江安) thanked New Zealand lawmakers for supporting peace across the Taiwan Strait and opposing the use of force to change the status quo. Citing a 50 percent rise in bilateral trade since the 2013 Taiwan–New Zealand Economic Cooperation Agreement, she urged continued support for Taiwan’s bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. Ou also praised New Zealand’s backing of Taiwan’s participation in regional and global organizations.

In Canberra, Representative Douglas Hsu (徐佑典) told an audience of lawmakers, diplomats, and community leaders that Taiwan will continue to serve as part of the “democratic value chain” in the Indo-Pacific. Hsu highlighted cooperation with Australia in renewable energy and technology supply chains and said the two sides recently renewed a memorandum of understanding on energy cooperation. He also thanked Australia for its support following a recent typhoon in Taiwan.

Source: RTI

Taiwan–France relations have made significant strides in recent years, with the annual National Day reception in Paris attracting large numbers of distinguished guests, including French officials, artists, and cultural figures. Chair and Vice Chair of the Taiwan–France Friendship Group in the French National Assembly Marie-Noëlle Battistel and Rachid Temal were also in attendance.

Speaking at this year’s event, Hao highlighted that 11 European countries have recently been subjected to complex threats such as Russian drone intrusions, submarine cable sabotage, and election interference through disinformation campaigns.

Hao said that while this is a new experience for Europe, gray-zone harassment has become a near-daily occurrence for Taiwan. She also emphasized Taiwan’s leading advantages in high-tech industries, particularly in semiconductors and chip manufacturing, and its willingness to work with France and the rest of Europe to build a non-red supply chain.

Battistel and Temal also spoke at the event, reflecting on their recent visit to Taiwan and underscoring the importance of continued bilateral cooperation. Both emphasized the strong and expanding ties between the two nations — spanning culture, trade, and parliamentary diplomacy — and reaffirmed France’s firm support for Taiwan amid global uncertainties.

Source: RTI

Following South Korea’s National Day reception at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Busan last Friday, the TECO in Malaysia held a similar event on Tuesday evening at the JW Marriott Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. 

Ambassador Phoebe Yeh (葉非比) spoke on Taiwan and Malaysia’s cooperation in areas such as trade, education, culture, and tourism, highlighting how bilateral trade is on track to reach a record high of US$39.1 billion. She emphasized Taiwan’s key strategic position in the Asia-Pacific region, saying more and more countries are publicly expressing support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international affairs and for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Meanwhile, the TECO in New York also held a reception on Tuesday at the Mandarin Oriental in Manhattan’s Upper East Side to celebrate National Day. There, Director James Lee (李志強) expressed his gratitude for the support of allies and like-minded countries during the UN General Assembly, where several representatives recently spoke out in support of Taiwan and rejected UN Resolution 2758. Lee stressed that a free and democratic Taiwan is in everyone’s best interest.

Source: RTI

After Taiwan and the Philippines signed MOUs on supply chain connectivity last week at an industrial collaboration summit in Manila, this week the Philippine Chinese community held an early National Day gala. Taiwan’s representative to Manila, Wallace Chow (周民淦), highlighted milestones such as the Philippines’ visa-free entry for Taiwanese travelers and expanded trade and investment missions. He also announced a US$200,000 donation to support relief efforts following last week’s Cebu earthquake, reaffirming Taiwan’s solidarity with its regional partners.

In Bangkok, Taiwan’s representative office hosted a National Day reception attended by Thai government and business leaders. Representative Peter Lan (藍夏禮) described Taiwan as an emerging “AI island,” citing its robust GDP growth and role as Thailand’s fourth-largest foreign investor. The event featured the Thai-wan Chamber Orchestra and displays celebrating Taiwan’s semiconductor achievements, reflecting shared ambitions for innovation and resilience.

Meanwhile in Taipei, an 11-member Swedish parliamentary delegation—the largest in recent years—arrived for a weeklong visit led by lawmaker Alexandra Anstrell. The group is meeting senior officials, including Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴), and will attend Friday’s National Day celebrations.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also voiced confidence in ties with the Czech Republic following recent elections, noting that cooperation in trade, education, and technology remains both solid and strategic.

As Taiwan marks its 114th National Day, the wave of new partnerships, goodwill visits, and global gestures of friendship signal continued growth of like-minded allies.

Source: RTI

TSMC sponsored 150 drone displays accompanied by Taiwanese pop songs by Jay Chou (周杰倫) and Fei Yu-ching (費玉清), lighting up the night sky with Taiwan’s flag, map, Taipei 101, a Formosan black bear, sky lanterns, and more. The event also featured a variety of Taiwanese food, cultural activities, and community stalls, creating a scene reminiscent of a Taiwanese night market brought to Arizona.

In her speech, Gallego emphasized the friendship between Phoenix and Taiwan, expressing her hope that through the Double Ten celebrations friends from Taiwan will feel like they’ve returned home, and those who are just beginning to learn about Taiwan will be as deeply moved as she was. She stated that the connection with Taiwan drives the economy, from bubble tea and xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) to healthcare and the chip industry. Gallego also noted that this year, China Airlines and Starlux will announce the launch of direct flights between Phoenix and Taipei, marking Phoenix’s first direct flights to Asia.

Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles Political Division Director Alan Fang (方崇宇) said in his speech that Taiwan’s story is one of resilience and innovation. He underscored that the nation continues to demonstrate prosperity and excellence despite global supply chain disruptions and increasing geopolitical pressures.

Phoenix and Taipei have a 46-year sister city relationship, boasting 30,000 Taiwanese residents, over 40 Taiwanese companies, and over 500 international students.

Source: RTI

The Nibun Chorus, recent champions of the Tokyo International Choir Competition composed of Bunun youth, opened the ceremony with Taiwan’s national anthem, followed by traditional Bunun songs and a rendition of “We Are the World.”

Chief Frank Antoine, World Indigenous Tourism Alliance board chair, described the performance as being “filled with the magic of nature.” He said it reminded him of Taiwan’s natural beauty and announced plans to lead a 30-member delegation to Taiwan later this year for the World Indigenous Games.

TECO Vancouver Director-General Liu Lih-hsin (劉立欣) thanked the choir for showcasing Taiwan’s cultural richness and said Indigenous cooperation has become an important element of Canada’s 2022 Indo-Pacific Strategy, which emphasizes multifaceted engagement with Taiwan. She also highlighted Taiwan’s leadership in technology, trade, healthcare, and social welfare, while criticizing Beijing’s continued misuse of U.N. Resolution 2758 to exclude Taiwan from international organizations.

Bipartisan Canadian lawmakers also offered support for Taiwan. Liberal Party member Wade Chang (張瑋麟) commended Taiwanese Canadians for their contributions to Canada’s multicultural and economic development, saying their story is also the story of Canada. Conservative MPs Tako van Popta, Marc Dalton, and Chak Au praised Taiwan’s democracy and its role in maintaining Indo-Pacific stability. MP Michael Cooper, in a recorded message, urged Canada to back Taiwan’s participation in global bodies such as the International Civil Aviation Organization.

Several British Columbia legislators, mayors, and city councillors also attended, expressing hopes for deeper Taiwan-Canada exchanges. Lyren Chiu (邱麗蓮), the GTMA Global Health Association president, said both nations are advancing forward-looking economic strategies. She noted Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new infrastructure policy and President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) promotion of Taiwan’s five trusted industries. She said the two countries can jointly build a democratic, non-red supply chain.

Source: RTI

At the event, TECO Director Kuo Cheng-kai (郭承凱) spoke about the fruitful results Taiwan has achieved in diplomacy and trade during the past year. He also emphasized Taiwan’s “Ten Major AI Infrastructure Projects” initiative, which will see NT$100 billion (US$3.3 billion) invested in the cultivation of AI talent, and how the initiative demonstrates the country’s commitment to growing the AI industry. 

Bilateral trade between Taiwan and South Korea reached a record high of US$64.5 billion in 2024, Kuo said, making South Korea Taiwan’s fourth-largest trading partner and source of imports. Total trade from January to August 2025 saw a 45% increase compared to the same period last year. 

Kuo emphasized that Taiwan and South Korea already had a fruitful relationship in the global semiconductor supply chain, to which the rise of AI has added further momentum. In addition, the countries have become each other’s third-largest source of tourists, with 2.43 million mutual visits between them.

Source: RTI

Han was joined by KMT Legislator Wan Mei-ling (萬美玲), DPP Legislator Kuo Yu-ching (郭昱晴), TPP Legislator Mai Yu-chen (麥玉珍), and Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi (陳明祺). In welcoming remarks, Han noted this was Amon’s ninth visit to Taiwan, while many other members were visiting for the first time. He said he hoped the trip would leave delegates with a lasting impression of Taiwan’s warmth.  

Han highlighted that Austria is Taiwan’s 10th-largest trading partner in Europe, a position he considers relatively low. He expressed hopes for increased bilateral economic engagement, mentioning not only opportunities in the semiconductor industry but also in traditional sectors such as textiles, bicycles, and sporting goods.

Amon agreed that stronger trade, cultural, and education ties are needed, and said a reciprocal driver’s license issue could be settled by year’s end. He added that shared values of democracy, rule of law, and human rights make cooperation among like-minded nations vital in the face of threats, including Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Source: RTI