President William Lai (賴清德) today congratulated Pope Leo XIV on the first anniversary of his election, on behalf of the Taiwanese government and people.
Taiwan would continue to maintain cross-strait peace, guided by the principles of freedom and human dignity, under the “Four Pillars of Peace” action plan, Lai said, referring to a plan he announced in his inauguration speech on May 20, 2024.
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevos from Chicago, the first US pope, was elected by the Conclave on May 8 last year as the 267th pope, designated Pope Leo XIV.
Photo: AP
Lai said that he and the people of Taiwan are deeply grateful to the Holy See for its efforts to build bridges among all of humanity and between nations, ensure that the voices of the most vulnerable are heard and promote an enduring culture of peace.
At a time when the world is facing instability and turmoil, the Holy See strives to serve as a model for the world, he added.
Taiwan would continue to deepen its relationship with the Holy See and work together to help the world’s most vulnerable people, he said.
Lai expressed confidence that Pope Leo XIV would lead the Catholic Church and guide humanity towards hope, reconciliation, fraternity and peace, while wishing him every success in his mission.
The Holy See is one of Taiwan’s 12 diplomatic allies.
UPGRADE: The Kang Ding-class frigate is replacing its Chaparall missiles with Tien Chien II and Hua Yang VLS, which would provide it with long-range, 360° air defense Taiwan plans to produce 1,200 to 1,376 Hai Chien II missiles (海劍二, Sea Sword II) — also known as TC-2N — to serve as the standard air defense system of the navy’s surface combatant fleet, a source said yesterday. Last week, the Hai Chien II, the naval version of the Tien Kung II missile (天劍二, Sky Sword II), completed a live-fire test in waters off the National Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology’s Jiupeng facility (九鵬) in Pingtung County’s Manjhou Township (滿州). The MIM72 Chaparral and other dated air defense missiles that currently arm Taiwanese ships have inadequate range to combat Chinese
REASONS FOR TRAVEL: An assistant professor said that proposed amendments to penalize drivers if they used drugs overseas would not deter people from traveling People who operate a motor vehicle under the influence of marijuana would have their driver’s license revoked, even if they used the substance while overseas, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications said yesterday, citing proposed amendments to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act (道路交通管理處罰條例). The amendments would also authorize the government to revoke the licenses of people determined to have used Category 1 or Category 2 narcotics, even if they were not operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs, as well as ban them from taking the license test for three years, the ministry said. People aged 18 or
Johanne Liou (劉喬安), a Taiwanese woman who shot to unwanted fame during the Sunflower movement protests in 2014, returned to Taiwan last night after being deported from the US. She is to stand trial in Taiwan for charges involving embezzlement, fraud and drug crimes. The Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) said it took her into custody at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport and would first question her before transferring her to the New Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office. She was arrested upon disembarking a flight from San Francisco that landed shortly before 7pm. Liou absconded to the US in 2019 after jumping bail
Shih Hsin University President Chen Ching-he (陳清河) yesterday issued a public apology for comments made in his commencement speech last week, stating that he has asked the school to suspend his duties and halt his wages for two months as a show of contrition. At the commencement ceremony on May 30, Chen said, “If you don’t manage your time well, or your own emotions, or your health, then I am telling every one of you — put a quick end to ‘you,’ because the world has no need for ‘you.’” The comments have sparked significant controversy online, and Chen through an open
RSS