Relations between Taiwan and the Vatican remain firm and solid, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official said yesterday.
Chen Lien-chun (陳連軍), deputy director of the ministry's European Affairs Department, told a news conference that although the Holy See would like to forge dialogue with China, it can't accept Beijing's conditions.
"As a result, Vatican-Beijing relations are not expected to see any major breakthrough in the near future," Chen said, adding that in contrast to the deadlock in Vatican-Beijing ties, relations between Taipei and the Vatican are steady and cordial.
Beijing has proposed three conditions for engagement with the Holy See -- it must cut its diplomatic ties with Taiwan, Pope John Paul II must apologize for the death of 100-plus Chinese Catholics in the Boxer Uprising and the Vatican must promise not to interfere with China's religious administration.
Meanwhile, Chen said, Taiwan has consistently attached great importance to its relations with the Vatican -- its sole diplomatic ally in Europe.
Noting that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of ROC-Vatican diplomatic ties, Chen said the Vatican, the ROC Embassy in the Holy See, the ministry and Fu Jen Catholic University have organized several events to mark the occasion.
The university published a collection of historical documents regarding Taiwan-Vatican relations last month and will sponsor a seminar on Taiwan-Vatican ties in December. The ministry has cooperated with the Directorate General of Post in issuing a set of memorial postage stamps.
Chen also said that the EU will set up a representative office in Taipei either at the end of this year or early next year and the ministry is assisting EU officials in selecting a suitable location.
The National Immigration Agency (NIA) said yesterday that it will revoke the dependent-based residence permit of a Chinese social media influencer who reportedly “openly advocated for [China’s] unification through military force” with Taiwan. The Chinese national, identified by her surname Liu (劉), will have her residence permit revoked in accordance with Article 14 of the “Measures for the permission of family- based residence, long-term residence and settlement of people from the Mainland Area in the Taiwan Area,” the NIA said in a news release. The agency explained it received reports that Liu made “unifying Taiwan through military force” statements on her online
A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck off Taitung County at 1:09pm today, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. The hypocenter was 53km northeast of Taitung County Hall at a depth of 12.5km, CWA data showed. The intensity of the quake, which gauges the actual effect of a seismic event, measured 4 in Taitung County and Hualien County on Taiwan's seven-tier intensity scale, the data showed. The quake had an intensity of 3 in Nantou County, Chiayi County, Yunlin County, Kaohsiung and Tainan, the data showed. There were no immediate reports of damage following the quake.
Tung Tzu-hsien (童子賢), a Taiwanese businessman and deputy convener of the nation’s National Climate Change Committee, said yesterday that “electrical power is national power” and nuclear energy is “very important to Taiwan.” Tung made the remarks, suggesting that his views do not align with the country’s current official policy of phasing out nuclear energy, at a forum organized by the Taiwan People’s Party titled “Challenges and Prospects of Taiwan’s AI Industry and Energy Policy.” “Taiwan is currently pursuing industries with high added- value and is developing vigorously, and this all requires electricity,” said the chairman
Actor Darren Wang (王大陸) is to begin his one-year alternative military service tomorrow amid ongoing legal issues, the Ministry of the Interior said yesterday. Wang, who last month was released on bail of NT$150,000 (US$4,561) as he faces charges of allegedly attempting to evade military service and forging documents, has been ordered to report to Taipei Railway Station at 9am tomorrow, the Alternative Military Service Training and Management Center said. The 33-year-old would join about 1,300 other conscripts in the 263rd cohort of general alternative service for training at the Chenggong Ling camp in Taichung, a center official told reporters. Wang would first
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