The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has expressed its hope that the US revise the ban on visits by the foreign minister and defense minister to Washington, and other “outdated” rules governing bilateral exchanges between the two countries, a ministry official said yesterday.
Following the re-election of US President Barack Obama, the ministry expressed its hope that the US would provide more support for the nation’s bids to join international organizations, enhance its security commitments and continue to send high-ranking officials to Taiwan, as well as adjust some “outdated” rules that regulate bilateral relations, Bruce Linghu (令狐榮達), director-general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department of North American Affairs, said at a regular press briefing.
Asked to elaborate on the “outdated” rules, Linghu cited as an example that the US does allow Taiwan’s foreign minister and defense minister to visit Washington.
“Despite the fact that the situation has improved a great deal, there remain some restrictions with regard to exchanges between government officials. Our foreign minister and defense minister can’t go to Washington because of issues of political sensitivity,” he said.
“We are expecting some adjustments to be made,” he said.
Linghu added that the ministry hopes the major bilateral trade talks under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) platform would be resumed as early as next year, if not by the end of this year.
TIFA negotiations have been suspended since 2007 due to disputes over US beef imports.
A US delegation comprising officials from various US agencies visited Taiwan last month to meet with local officials in preparation for a resumption of talks after Taiwan opened its doors to imports of beef containing traces of the feed additive ractopamine in September.
In other news, Linghu urged the public to be honest when applying for online travel authorization, a requirement for visiting the US under its Visa-Waiver Program (VWP).
He cited a case in which a Taiwanese who had planned to visit the US on the program was denied entry after lying about having been previously denied a US visa.
Under the program, Taiwanese business travelers and tourists who hold e-passports no longer need to obtain a visa to enter the US, but instead need to apply for travel authorization online, which allows multiple stays of up to 90 days over a two-year period.
In a reciprocal arrangement, Americans will now be able to visit Taiwan without a visa for up to 90 days instead of the previous maximum of 30 days, which is expected to boost business exchanges, Linghu said.
Additional reporting by CNA
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Monday called for greater cooperation between Taiwan, Lithuania and the EU to counter threats to information security, including attacks on undersea cables and other critical infrastructure. In a speech at Vilnius University in the Lithuanian capital, Tsai highlighted recent incidents in which vital undersea cables — essential for cross-border data transmission — were severed in the Taiwan Strait and the Baltic Sea over the past year. Taiwanese authorities suspect Chinese sabotage in the incidents near Taiwan’s waters, while EU leaders have said Russia is the likely culprit behind similar breaches in the Baltic. “Taiwan and our European
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
The US Department of State on Monday reaffirmed that US policy on Taiwan remains unchanged, following US President Donald Trump’s use of the term “unification” while commenting on recent trade talks with China. Speaking at a wide-ranging press conference, Trump described what he viewed as progress in trade negotiations with China held in Geneva, Switzerland, over the weekend. “They’ve agreed to open China — fully open China, and I think it’s going to be fantastic for China. I think it’s going to be fantastic for us,” Trump said. “I think it’s going to be great for unification and peace.” Trump’s use of the
RSS