taiwan travel government

Update April 12, 2024

Information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents.

Share this page:

Taiwan Travel Advisory

Travel advisory july 11, 2023, taiwan - level 1: exercise normal precautions.

Reissued after periodic review with minor edits.

Exercise normal precautions in Taiwan.

Read the  Taiwan International Travel Information  page for additional information on travel to Taiwan.

If you decide to travel to Taiwan:

• Follow the U.S. Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Review the  security report for Taiwan  from the Overseas Security Advisory Council.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .
• Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.

Travel Advisory Levels

Assistance for u.s. citizens, search for travel advisories, external link.

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Sweepstakes

Taiwan Introduces Plan to Attract Tourists — by Paying Them

The new incentive program comes as the government aims to draw in six million tourists in 2023 and then 10 million tourists by 2025.

kecl/GETTY IMAGES

Taiwan is looking to boost its tourism numbers, and will hand out cash to visitors as an incentive to come.

The island will hand out NT $5,000 (or about $166) to 500,000 individual tourists along with up to NT $20,000 (or about $667) to 90,000 tour groups, CNN reported . The money will be given out digitally after tourists arrive, according to the Taipei Times , and can be used to cover expenses while in Taiwan , including for food or accommodation.

However, travelers looking to plan a trip may want to hold tight since it was not immediately clear when the money would be issued or how to apply for it, according to CNN .

“The money will be given out through multiple tourism promotion events this year, rather than giving it all out at once,” Tourism Bureau Director-General Chang Shi-chung said, according to the Taipei Times . “As such, not all international tourists would receive it.“

The new incentive program comes as the government aims to draw in six million tourists in 2023 and then 10 million tourists by 2025, CNN noted.

Transport Minister Wang Kuo-tsai said the island hopes to use the incentive to bring in visitors from key markets, including Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Macao, Europe, and America.

Taiwan welcomes travelers, including from the United States, without the need to test for COVID-19 before their trip, according to the American Institute in Taiwan . The country also dropped quarantine rules in October and eased mask rules in December.

Taiwan isn’t the first destination to pay tourists to visit. In 2021, Malta introduced a scheme to pay tourists to stay in hotels there, and last year, a region in Italy’s northeastern corner chose to cover traveler’s train fare in an effort to promote sustainable travel.

On the other hand, several destinations have introduced plans to collect tourist fees , including Thailand , Venice , and Europe as a whole.

Taiwan Travel Act Becomes Law

“This is long overdue and needed,” says Foreign Affairs Chairman Royce 

Washington, D.C. – Today, the president signed into law the Taiwan Travel Act (H.R. 535). Championed by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA), the bipartisan legislation encourages visits between the United States and Taiwan at all levels. 

Chairman Royce on the Taiwan Travel Act becoming law: “The U.S.-Taiwan partnership is critical to U.S. interests in the region. Yet, as our tenth largest trading partner and a close friend on many issues such as global health, Taiwan’s leaders face tremendous and unnecessary obstacles when they travel to the U.S. This important law changes that by encouraging more visits between our two governments – including at the highest levels. This is long overdue and needed.

“The United States and Taiwan share a commitment to democracy, rule of law and human rights. Taiwan’s successes serve as an example of what can be built based on these principles. We should be supporting partners who have achieved democracy – they can inspire others across the region.” 

NOTE: A decades-long supporter of Taiwan, Chairman Royce led a bipartisan delegation to Taiwan last year, where he was  awarded  the Order of Brilliant Star with Special Grand Cordon for his outstanding contributions to Taiwan’s development.

Taiwan eyes mid-October end to COVID quarantine on road to re-opening

• Medium Text

Sign up here.

Reporting by Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Kenneth Maxwell

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. New Tab , opens new tab

World Chevron

Russia breached global chemical weapons ban in Ukraine war, US says

The United States on Wednesday accused Russia of violating the international chemical weapons ban by deploying the choking agent chloropicrin against Ukrainian troops and using riot control agents "as a method of warfare" in Ukraine.

The United States on Wednesday issued hundreds of fresh sanctions targeting Russia over the war in Ukraine in action that took aim at Moscow's circumvention of Western measures, including through China.

We've detected unusual activity from your computer network

To continue, please click the box below to let us know you're not a robot.

Why did this happen?

Please make sure your browser supports JavaScript and cookies and that you are not blocking them from loading. For more information you can review our Terms of Service and Cookie Policy .

For inquiries related to this message please contact our support team and provide the reference ID below.

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

Warnings and insurance

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice .

The UK does not recognise Taiwan as a state and has no diplomatic relations with Taiwan, so limited consular services are available to British nationals. Please refer to the British Office in Taipei for further information.

3 April earthquake

A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck Eastern Taiwan with shocks felt all across the island including Taipei. Hualien County has been most affected, but train services have been fully restored and roads have partially re-opened. Transportation links elsewhere in Taiwan were less affected by the earthquake. Some hiking routes in Hualien and Yilan counties remain closed and on 8 April the Forestry and Nature Conservation agency  again cautioned against travel to affected mountainous areas.

See the Taroko Gorge National Park website for updates on the latest road conditions around Hualien and the Taiwan Forest Recreation website on hiking routes closures. Contact the Highway Bureau for further enquiries about road conditions, and consult the Taiwan Railway website to see the operational status of train lines. Aftershocks continue to occur and you should expect travel disruption. You should consult the Central Weather Administration website and other official sources for more information.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide as well as support for British nationals abroad which includes:

• advice on preparing for travel abroad and reducing risks
• information for women, LGBT+ and disabled travellers

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance . Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

Related content

Is this page useful.

• Yes this page is useful
• No this page is not useful

Help us improve GOV.UK

Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.

To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone.

The website uses Cookies and other relevant technologies to optimize services. To provide you with a better experience, if you continue to use our site, you are consenting with our use of Cookies. The website can also find scenic spots for users. To activate and utilize this AI-based service, please allow the site to acquire your location first.

Tourism Administration, Republic of China (Taiwan)-Taiwan Tourism Administration's Taiwan Tourism Information Website

• Copyright Notice
• Tourism Administration
• Bahasa Melayu
• Bahasa Indonesia

TAIWAN TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: Still Visa-Free for Filipinos? Quarantine & Testing Needed?

Is Taiwan part of your 2023 travel plans? If so, you probably have a lot of questions brewing in your head. Is Taiwan still visa-free for Filipinos? Do I still need to undergo mandatory quarantine? What are the testing requirements? Should I bring proof of vaccination? Don’t worry. We’ll answer all these questions (and more) in this article.

Taiwan was the last destination we had visited just before the pandemic reared its ugly head and brought the world to its knees in early 2020. We even got stranded in the island for a few days! So it’s kind of apt — poetic even — that it is also our first destination in 2023, the year that we all expect things to fully go back to normal.

In fact, Philippine Airlines, the country’s flag carrier, has added one more flight to Taiwan. This is a good sign that tourism (and travel in general) is starting to get back on its feet. PAL now flies to the Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) twice a day:

• PR 890 Departure: 06:25 AM Arrival: 08:45 AM
• PR 894 Departure: 5:50 PM Arrival: 8:05 PM

This may change in the future, so make sure to double-check and visit PAL’s official website for the latest schedule and fares.

So yes, things are starting to go back to normal. But what are the travel requirements when visiting Taiwan?

WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?

Is Taiwan still visa-free for Filipino tourists?

YES. Philippine Passport holders can visit Taiwan without a visa for up to 14 days.

Filipino tourists are included in Taiwan’s visa-exempt program until 31 July 2024 .

Note that this applies to Filipinos traveling to Taiwan for leisure. A visa might still be required from those traveling to study or work, with which I’m not familiar.

What are Taiwan’s entry requirements?

While Taiwan remains visa-free for Filipino tourists, it doesn’t mean that you could simply waltz in. Here is the full list of requirements when visiting Taiwan for leisure:

• Passport , with over 6 months of validity
• Proof of accommodations , which may be hotel booking confirmation or address and contact details of your sponsor in Taiwan
• Exit ticket , which may be a return ticket to the Philippines or an onward ticket to another country
• Sufficient funds

These are the documents that the Immigration Officer might ask you to present. I say “might” because they don’t always check for these requirements. In fact, except for passports, we have never been asked to show these documents even on our last trip. They just asked to see our passports, scanned our fingerprints, and took a photo. Then they let us through.

But just because we or other people you know weren’t checked doesn’t mean that you won’t be checked, either. Our circumstances and travel times are different, and you’ll most likely be assessed by a different Immigration Officer. Hence, there’s still a good chance that you could be asked to provide these requirements. To be on the safe side, make sure you have all these documents when traveling to Taiwan. The last thing you want is to be ordered to provide these docs and you’re not able to because you don’t have them.

What does “sufficient fund” mean?

I am not sure. I don’t think they explicitly state how much is “sufficient”. Out of the many times I have traveled to Taiwan, I have never been asked how much money I have with me. That said, I’ve read online accounts from other people who have, so they do ask about it sometimes.

The only advice I can share regarding this is to make sure that you have enough to cover your expenses for the entire length of your stay. If you plan on using the full 14 days allowed in Taiwan, don’t bring only 1000 NTD because it doesn’t make sense.

Is proof of vaccination required?

NO. The Taiwan authorities will not ask for any proof of vaccination. No vaccination card or vaccination certificate is required.

That said, if you have proof of vaccination, bring it anyway. It’s always best to have it just in case rules change while you’re on the trip or if the airline asks for it regardless.

Besides, as far as I know, proof of vaccination is required when entering the Philippines, although authorities don’t always check. But again, just bring it for good measure.

Is there a quarantine and testing requirement?

There is NO testing required before or upon arrival at the airport in Taiwan. You don’t need to submit a negative test result prior to your trip. You don’t need to undergo a test at the airport.

BUT after emerging from the aircraft, just before you reach the Immigration booths, you’ll find a table with stacks of self-test kits. You should get one box. Each box contains 4 pieces of test kits.

What are these test kits for? You’re expected to do a self-test at the hotel on your first day and every 2 days since for 7 days. It’s part of Taiwan’s 7-day self-initiated preventive program.

Again, for clarity: The idea is, you should do a swab test on your own over the next seven days: one upon arrival at the hotel and another every two days.

This does NOT mean that you’ll be quarantined. You can still go outside and explore like normal. In theory, you need a negative test to go out and each test is valid for the next two days. This is why you are given four kits. It should cover your first seven days.

HONESTY SYSTEM: No one is going to check if you really did it and you won’t have to submit or report the test result anywhere. But despite this, I still highly encourage you to do a self-test. Yes, it’s uncomfortable, but it’s always best to follow the rules.

So to recap, when traveling to Taiwan:

• NO proof of vaccination
• NO pre-trip testing
• NO mandatory quarantine

Taiwan is one of the easiest places to visit these days, so if you’ve always wanted to go, bump it up to the top of your bucket list.

What if my Taiwan trip is shorter than 7 days? Am I still allowed to visit?

YES. The 7-day preventive program does NOT mean you need to stay at least 7 days in Taiwan. It only means the testing should be done over the first seven days. If your stay is shorter, then you don’t need to use all the test kits.

If you’re staying in Taiwan for only four days, then you’ll only have to do 2 tests.

If you’re staying 2 days, you only need to do one.

Is wearing masks mandatory?

The official policy is: you must wear mask indoors unless you’re eating.

At a restaurant, you should still wear a mask when getting food at the buffet table or when using the restroom. You should only remove it when you’re putting food or drinks in your mouth.

Outdoors, masks are not required at all times. There may be certain situations when it is needed, but I’m not sure what the parameters are. I just wear a mask regardless. And I’m not alone. Based on my observation, the overwhelming majority of tourists and locals in Taiwan still choose to wear masks outside.

What to do upon arrival at the airport?

We landed at Taipei Taoyuan International Airport. Here’s the arrival process as we experienced:

• After deplaning, get one box of COVID test kits. You’ll find them just before you reach the Immigration area.
• Accomplish the Arrival Card. Get one from the table in front of the Immigration counters.
• Clear Immigration check. The Immigration officer will check your passport and/or other requirements and take your photo and fingerprints.
• Claim your bags at the assigned carousel.
• Clear customs check. Make sure you don’t have MEAT products or you’ll be fined around a million NTD.

That’s it! At the Arrival Hall, you’ll find money changers and ATMs. Note that it’s extremely difficult to find money exchangers that accept Philippine pesos in the city so if you need to exchange currencies, you may do it here. Better yet, withdraw from any of the ATMs, which I think have better rates. We prefer using Bank of China, the central bank of Taiwan.

You’ll also find booths selling data SIM cards. If you purchased one via Klook, you can pick up your SIM card from the Counter 6, located at the far end of the hall. It should be to your right if you’ve just emerged from the Customs check.

Where to Stay in Taipei

Here are some of the hotels that we were able to check out:

• Hotel Cham Cham , Banqiao District. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Hotel Midtown Richardson , Ximending. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• La Palais de Chine , near Taipei Main Station.
• Park City Hotel , Luzhou District. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Hotel Attic , Ximending. Check Rates & Availability! ✅

Search for more Taipei Hotels!

Where to book tours.

While it is possible to explore Taipei DIY-style, joining a tour has a long list of perks, especially if you’re part of a big group, you’re traveling with kids or seniors, or you simply don’t want to deal with the nitty-gritty of itinerary building. We often get DMs from people asking for tour referrals.

Our most recent Taipei trip was organized by Edison Tours , which has been in operation for decades, making it one of the most trusted and most reputable tour operators in Taipei.

If you’re solo or a small group, you could join a set tour. If you’re a bigger group, it’s best to have them customize an itinerary for you, based on your schedule and preferences. Each tour is also led by a fluent English-speaking guide, which is a very big deal because attractions in Taipei and surrounding areas are not always visually captivating. Most are historical or cultural sites that you’ll appreciate a lot better if you know the background or if you have local insights.

To see their packages or for more info, visit www.edisontours.com . If you need to get in touch with them for inquiries or requests, just tap the CONTACT US button in the upper right corner of the page.

If you prefer to book with a Philippine-based travel agency, here are some that offer Taipei tours with corresponding contact numbers and websites.

• Constellation Travels Inc. www.constellationtravels.com.ph +63956 660 0693
• Travel Warehouse Inc. www.twi.com.ph
• VIA https://ph.via.com (+63 2) 8555.9444 [email protected]
• Ark Travel Express Inc. (+63 2) 8810-4520 / (+63 2) 8528-0933 www.arktravelexpress.com
• North Star International Travel Inc. (+63 2) 3485 7272 [email protected] www.northstar-travel.com.ph
• Ricson Crown Travel & Tours [email protected] (+63 2) 8352-0797
• Iloilo Skyways Travel & Tours (+63 33) 508-0909 [email protected] www.iloiloskywaystravel.com
• Levy Travel and Tours [email protected] (+63 2) 87757436 / 85188801 / 85797215 +639178797525

Is there a Tagalog version of this article?

We have a Tagalog video version of this article.

You can listen to our discussion about Taiwan travel requirements on Spotify! Follow The Poor Traveler Podcast !

We’ll also be publishing more Taiwan-related articles in the next several weeks! If you don’t want to miss any of those, you may follow us on our Facebook page or Instagram account .

Updates Log

2023 • 7 • 11: Visa-exempt program for Filipinos extended to July 31, 2024 2023 • 1 • 31: First posted

More Tips on YouTube ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Is this post helpful to you?

Related Posts:

• TAIWAN VISA-FREE Entry Requirements (Until July 2020)
• 6 Destinations to Visit in TAIWAN Other Than Taipei
• Sample TAIPEI-HUALIEN ITINERARIES: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 Days
• CHUN SHUI TANG Bubble Milk Tea Original Shop: Menu, Hours, How to Get There
• KAOHSIUNG TO TAICHUNG: By Bus & By Train (THSR & TRA)
• BAGUIO TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS for TOURISTS
• New Normal BOHOL TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS & Policies
• NAIA ARRIVAL Protocol & Requirements for OFWs, Non-OFWs & Foreigners

• Recent Posts

• 2024 Resorts World One HONG KONG CRUISE Guide for First Timers - 13 April 2024
• FLIGHT RESERVATION for VISA • How to Get Dummy Ticket for Schengen, Canada, China and Other Visa Applications - 22 March 2024
• 2024 Cebu Pacific Promos & PISO SALE with List of Covered Destinations - 4 March 2024

super informative nito Sir para samin na nagplaplan mag visit sa Taiwan Thank You po!

You’re welcome! Happy planning and enjoy your trip!

I have a 9 hours layover in Taipei so I won’t be at the hotel, what address in Taiwan should I put on the arrival card? I’m going to Japan and I must change airports in Taipei.

The flight number of your next flight (to Japan).

Hi.. saan po makikita ang source ng travel advisory ng taiwan? Base po doon sa screenshot nyo..

Yung about sa visa-exempt entry? Dito po: https://www.boca.gov.tw/fp-149-4486-7785a-2.html

Hello po.. about po sa travel requirements po if meron po pong covid test and quarantine? Planning to visit po this may…

Hi po ask ko lng need p dn po b ng invitation letter galing meco s taiwan if ang magbabakasyon kami ng anak ko salamat po

Sino po ung nag-invite?

hi once pabalik po ng pinas, need po ba na dapat may booster na or kahit 2 vaccines lng? thanks po in advance for the reply :)

Thank you po. This is very informative. Just want to ask po, how about the requirements once we get back to the Philippines if it just for leisure po? Do we still need to present the Health Insurance?

Hi Ethel, they just asked to see our vaccination card/cert and the eTravel QR code. For returning Pinoys, ‘yun lang ang hiningi.

hi what do i need if mag stay ako for about 30days? do i need visa na?

According to the official website, “for those who plan to stay for more than 14 days, they will need to apply for an appropriate visa at TECO.”

• Hello po, I’m a working student po here in Taiwan and I will be graduating this June po, my parents were planning to go here in Taiwan and mag stay po sila sa tinitirahan ko for 5 days and we will not book a hotel po, so regarding po sa Proof of accommodations, may kailangan pa po ba akong i-process sa MECO or just provide the address and contact lang po talaga? ng sponsor and may ari po ng tinitirahan dito?

Pano po pag july 27 – aug. 9 po mag stay sa taiwan? Need po ba kumuha ng visa sa teco?

Visa-exempt program has been extended to July 2024, so no need.

Good afternoon! ano po kaya mga requirements if isasama ko mother ko? Ofw po ako sa Middle East. Salamat po.

Kung pareho po kayong PH-passport holders, same pa rin naman po. Wala pa pong balita if maeextend yung pagka-visa free ng Pinoys after July 31. Kung hindi, baka may magbago.

May tanong po ako. Yung visa free ng taiwan multiple entry po ba? For example po punta po ako taiwan june 20-23 tapos babalik po ako june 30-july 3? Iba po kasi kasama ko magtravel.

Visa free traveling in Taiwan will end on July 31, 2023, what if the departure is on 31 and you’ll be back on Ph on August 5, is that okay po?!?

Hello po sir.. Asking lang po. Planning to travel this Sept in taiwan but I don’t have any idea to start.. I planning to do diy.pde po mag paturo hehe

Hi! We’ll be publishing a TAIWAN TRAVEL GUIDE in this blog po very very soon. And pati po sa Youtube namin, magkaka-video po kami kung paano mag-plan ng trip sa Taiwan. Subscribe po kayo para ma-alert po kayo kapag uploaded na yung video: http://www.youtube.com/thepoortraveler

Hi☺️ good day po ask lang need paba ng travel certificate kpag may bata kung anak ko nman po ?

Hi! I am planning to visit Taiwan with my 1-year old daughter this March 2024 for vacation and also to visit/see his father (filipino), studying there (we’re not married yet). I’ll be the one to pay all our expenses, am I still required to get an invitation letter from him and show it to immigration? Thanks.

To be safe, yes. Better bring one.

Is it a written letter only? Or is it a letter from MECO?

Featured On

We heard you!

Your comment is now queued for moderation! We’ll try to get back to you soonest. While waiting, follow us on these channels.

Subscribe on Youtube! Follow us on Instagram!

Taiwan urges China to resume talks "without preconditions"

T aipei [ Taiwan ], April 29 (ANI): The Taiwan government on Sunday urged China to resume bilateral exchanges "without preconditions" after China announced it would once again allow tourists from Fujian Province to travel to the Taiwan -controlled Matsu Islands, Central News Agency (CNA) reported.

The eased travel restrictions were announced on Sunday after a meeting was held between China 's deputy minister of culture and tourism Rao Quan and a legislative delegation led by Kuomintang (KMT) caucus whip Fu Kun-chi .

Asked about the decision later in the day, Taiwan 's Interior Minister, Lin Yu-chang, said that "equitable exchanges" between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are a "shared expectation and consensus" among the people of Taiwan . Lin stated that such exchanges should take place without pre-conditions or any type of political considerations to avoid suspicions about the motives.

Travelling between Taiwan and China has remained largely frozen for the past three years, partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. China stopped independent travel to Taiwan on August 1, 2019, citing the poor state of cross-strait ties. The two rules continue to remain in effect, according to CNA report.

Meanwhile, Taiwan has refused to lift its COVID-era restrictions on the entry of most categories of Chinese travellers. Taiwan allows its citizens to travel independently to China , but not in tour groups arranged by Taiwan ese travel agencies.

China 's decision to ease its travel restrictions is applicable only to Fujian residents visiting Matsu and not to Taiwan -controlled Kinmen, Central News Agency reported. Notably, Kinmen has not been included in the decision as Chinese and Taiwan ese authorities have not yet resolved a dispute over a February 14 incident.

On February 14, Taiwan ese Coast Guard vessel pursued and collided with a Chinese speedboat that entered restricted waters near Kinmen, CNA reported, citing Taiwan ese news outlets. After the collision, the Chinese speedboat capsized which claimed the lives of two of the four men on board.

The Chinese government strongly condemned Taiwan for the death of two men while Taiwan maintained that its Coast Guard was acting within the law to chase off a boat within its territorial waters. Kinmen prosecutors have been carrying out investigation into the case.

Notably, China considers self-ruled democratic Taiwan as a part of its territory. (ANI)

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

What does Taiwan get from the foreign aid bill and why is the US economy among the biggest winners?

The sweeping foreign aid package passed by congress has drawn the ire of China, but billions of dollars will actually stay in the US

Taiwan’s president Tsai Ing-wen has praised the US Congress for passing a sweeping foreign aid package this week which included arms support for the island, and has drawn the ire of China.

After months of delays and contentious debate, the bill was signed into law by Joe Biden on Wednesday . Described as $95bn in aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, the legislation actually contains provisions that broadly affect many parts of the Asia-Pacific, while also spending billions of dollars at home in America.

House Republicans billed the $8.1bn for the Indo-Pacific as an effort to “counter communist China and ensure a strong deterrence in the region,” however the largest provision of funding is for projects in the US itself.

In the face of delayed shipbuilding projects, $3.3bn of the bill will go towards the US domestic submarine-building industry.

$1.9bn is designated for a Columbia-class submarine – America’s newest class of nuclear-powered submarine – the first of which is due to be delivered in 2027. Another $200m is designated for a Virginia-class submarine.

The vast majority of this money will be spent in the United States, with more than 16,000 suppliers across all 50 states set to benefit, according to Connor Fiddler at the Foreign Policy Research Institute.

“Nearly half of the Indo-Pacific appropriations directly reinforce the submarine industrial base,” Fiddler wrote in his analysis of the package . “While this investment will enhance deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, the immediate impact will be supporting the American economy.”

The submarine funding was a condition of congressional endorsement of the Aukus deal between the US, UK and Australia, and is aimed at ensuring the US can produce Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines for Australia without undermining its own capability requirements.

Another $2bn of funding in the aid package will go towards the foreign military financing program for Taiwan and other security partners in the Indo-Pacific, who the US says are “confronting Chinese aggression.”

According to US officials, the foreign financing program allows eligible partner nations to “purchase US defense articles, services, and training”.

A further $1.9bn will go towards defence related expenses provided to Taiwan and other regional partners, while $542m will specifically strengthen US military capabilities in the region.

On Wednesday, China criticised the package, saying that such funding was pushing Taiwan into a “dangerous situation.”

Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs Office said the aid “seriously violates” US commitments to China and “sends a wrong signal to the Taiwan independence separatist forces.”

Separately, Taiwan has signed billions in contracts with the US for latest-generation F-16V fighter jets, M1 Abrams main battle tanks and the HIMARS rocket system, which the US has also supplied to Ukraine.

The United States is Taiwan’s most important international backer and arms supplier even in the absence of formal diplomatic ties. China, which views Taiwan as its own territory, has repeatedly demanded arms sales stop.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

• US foreign policy
• US Congress
• Asia Pacific

Most viewed

• LIVE DISCOURSE
• BLOG / OPINION
• SUBMIT PRESS RELEASE
• Advertisement
• Knowledge Partnership
• Media Partnership

Taiwan urges China to resume talks "without preconditions"

Taiwan's government on sunday urged china to resume bilateral exchanges "without preconditions.".

The Taiwan government on Sunday urged China to resume bilateral exchanges "without preconditions" after China announced it would once again allow tourists from Fujian Province to travel to the Taiwan-controlled Matsu Islands, Central News Agency (CNA) reported. The eased travel restrictions were announced on Sunday after a meeting was held between China's deputy minister of culture and tourism Rao Quan and a legislative delegation led by Kuomintang (KMT) caucus whip Fu Kun-chi.

Asked about the decision later in the day, Taiwan's Interior Minister, Lin Yu-chang, said that "equitable exchanges" between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are a "shared expectation and consensus" among the people of Taiwan. Lin stated that such exchanges should take place without pre-conditions or any type of political considerations to avoid suspicions about the motives. Travelling between Taiwan and China has remained largely frozen for the past three years, partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. China stopped independent travel to Taiwan on August 1, 2019, citing the poor state of cross-strait ties. The two rules continue to remain in effect, according to CNA report.

Meanwhile, Taiwan has refused to lift its COVID-era restrictions on the entry of most categories of Chinese travellers. Taiwan allows its citizens to travel independently to China, but not in tour groups arranged by Taiwanese travel agencies. China's decision to ease its travel restrictions is applicable only to Fujian residents visiting Matsu and not to Taiwan-controlled Kinmen, Central News Agency reported. Notably, Kinmen has not been included in the decision as Chinese and Taiwanese authorities have not yet resolved a dispute over a February 14 incident.

On February 14, Taiwanese Coast Guard vessel pursued and collided with a Chinese speedboat that entered restricted waters near Kinmen, CNA reported, citing Taiwanese news outlets. After the collision, the Chinese speedboat capsized which claimed the lives of two of the four men on board. The Chinese government strongly condemned Taiwan for the death of two men while Taiwan maintained that its Coast Guard was acting within the law to chase off a boat within its territorial waters. Kinmen prosecutors have been carrying out investigation into the case.

Notably, China considers self-ruled democratic Taiwan as a part of its territory. (ANI)

China to allow tourists from Fujian province to visit Taiwan

Inspiring Innovation and Driving Entrepreneurship: MIT Art, Design and Techn...

Indian Aluminum Industry Embarks on Ambitious Transformation, Aiming for Net...

University of New Haven's New President Embarks on India Visit to Enhance Pa...

Houthis attack four ships in Indian Ocean, Red Sea

Latest news, ignca delhi showcases lithographs by renowned german artist, us moves to bar huawei, other chinese telecoms from certifying wireless equipment, nepal's mountaineer kami rita sherpa to ascend everest for 29th time, rahul, priyanka's amethi, rae bareli contest remains uncertain.

OPINION / BLOG / INTERVIEW

Green metropolises: navigating the path to sustainable urban growth globally, the creative frontier: unleashing potential with generative ai, customized minds: the ai revolution in learning and behavioral change, transformative strategies for high-density cities, connect us on.

• ADVERTISEMENT
• KNOWLEDGE PARTNERSHIP
• MEDIA PARTNERSHIP
• Agro-Forestry
• Art & Culture
• Economy & Business
• Energy & Extractives
• Law & Governance
• Science & Environment
• Social & Gender
• Urban Development
• East and South East Asia
• Europe and Central Asia
• Central Africa
• East Africa
• Southern Africa
• West Africa
• Middle East and North Africa
• North America
• Latin America and Caribbean

OTHER LINKS

• Write for us
• Submit Press Release
• Opinion / Blog / Analysis
• Business News
• Entertainment News
• Technology News
• Law-order News
• Lifestyle News
• National News
• International News

OTHER PRODUCTS

Email: [email protected] Phone: +91-720-6444012, +91-7027739813, 14, 15

© Copyright 2024

• INSTITUTIONS

BEIJING, April 24 -- The Chinese mainland will further facilitate the use of mainland travel permits for Taiwan residents, a State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson said Wednesday.

Spokesperson Zhu Fenglian said at a regular press conference that Fujian Province had provided convenience for Taiwan compatriots holding travel permits regarding travel, finance, telecommunications and other areas.

This is the outcome of a series of entry-exit policies that came into effect on Jan. 1, 2024, aimed at boosting personnel exchanges between Fujian and Taiwan and facilitating the daily lives of Taiwan compatriots in Fujian.

Since the beginning of this year, about 90,000 five-year travel permits and 11,000 single-entry travel permits have been issued by authorities in Fujian to Taiwan compatriots, an increase of 56.4 percent and 200 percent, respectively, from the same period last year, Zhu said.

During this period, ports of entry and exit in Fujian have witnessed 230,000 inbound trips made by Taiwan compatriots, up 2.6 times year on year, she added.

Fujian has set up special entry-exit service counters for individuals and businesses from Taiwan regarding document application, settlement procedures, and policy inquiries, Zhu said.

The "12367" immigration service hotline also offers service in the Minnan dialect, which is widely spoken in Fujian and Taiwan, to offer convenience to Taiwan compatriots, according to Zhu.

Copyright© www.gov.cn | About us | Contact us

Website identification code bm01000001 registration number: 05070218, all rights reserved. the content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to www.gov.cn., without written authorization from www.gov.cn, such content shall not be republished or used in any form., copyright© www.gov.cn | contact us, website identification code bm01000001, registration number: 05070218.

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• Personal Finance
• AP Investigations
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Shopping
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Election Results
• Delegate Tracker
• AP & Elections
• Auto Racing
• 2024 Paris Olympic Games
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Personal finance
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

Taiwan’s president-elect appoints new foreign, defense ministers as island faces continued threats

In this photo released by the Taiwan Presidential Office, U.S. Democratic Congressman Dan Kildee, left, meets with Taiwan President-elect and Vice President Lai Ching-te in Taipei, Taiwan on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. Kildee and Lisa McClain, secretary-general of the Republican Caucus of the U.S. House of Representatives jointly led a cross-party group of lawmakers to visit Taiwan from April 23 to 25 . Members also include Mark Alford, a member of the House Armed Services Committee. (Taiwan Presidential Office via AP)

In this photo released by the Taiwan Presidential Office, Lisa McClain, left, secretary-general of the Republican Caucus of the U.S. House of Representatives meets with Taiwan President-elect and Vice President Lai Ching-te in Taipei, Taiwan on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. McClain and Democratic Congressman Dan Kildee jointly led a cross-party group of lawmakers to visit Taiwan from April 23 to 25 . Members also include Mark Alford, a member of the House Armed Services Committee. (Taiwan Presidential Office via AP)

• Copy Link copied

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan’s president-elect has appointed new foreign and defense ministers to join his incoming administration as the island faces continuing military threats and diplomatic isolation from China.

Lai Ching-te, who assumes the presidency on May 20, announced Thursday that current Presidential Secretary General Lin Chia-lung will take over as foreign minister.

He said Wellington Koo will head the Defense Ministry at a time when Taiwan is upgrading its defenses against China with new ships, submarines, warplanes, missile systems and other land-based defenses.

Along with stepping up its threat to annex Taiwan by force, China has whittled down the number of Taiwan’s formal diplomatic allies to just 12, while excluding it from the United Nations and most other international organizations.

Koo, a lawyer, has headed the National Security Council under current President Tsai Ing-wen, who is leaving office as mandated after two four-year terms. He will be replaced in the high-profile role by current Foreign Minister Joseph Wu.

Taiwan has a long-embedded tradition of civilians serving as defense minister, in contrast to China’s practice of appointing top generals who have taken an increasingly bellicose attitude toward Taiwan, the U.S. and in asserting China’s territorial claims in the South China and East China seas.

Lin previously served as mayor of Taiwan’s largest city, Taichung, and was put in charge of Taiwan’s economic outreach to Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Both Lin and Koo are members of the Democratic Progressive Party, with which China has cut contacts over its refusal to acknowledge Beijing’s claim of sovereignty over the island.

Lai handily won the presidential election in January, although the main opposition Nationalist Party that backs eventual unification with China took a one-vote majority in the legislature.

Taiwan has a mixture of presidential and parliamentary systems with much power also invested in local city and county governments. The formula emerged after Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalists relocated their government to the former Japanese colony of Taiwan in 1949 as Mao Zedong’s Communists seized power on the mainland after a decades-long civil war.

• Taiwan News
• Editorial & Opinion
• Bilingual Pages

• All Front Page Taiwan News Business Editorial & Opinion Sports World News Features Bilingual Pages

Tue, Apr 30, 2024 page2

Bills seek restrictions on lawmakers’ china visits, travel restrictions: dpp legislators proposed updating rules to require lawmakers who visit china to report on meetings they have and their itineraries.

• By Hsieh Chun-lin and Jason Pan / Staff reporters

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislators Lai Jui-lung (賴瑞隆) and Puma Shen (沈伯洋) have proposed amendments to regulate lawmakers’ visits to China.

Legislators and elected representatives who have access to high-level classified materials should be included with military and intelligence personnel in facing restrictions when visiting China, to prevent leaks that could endanger national security, they said.

Lai proposed amending the Legislators’ Conduct Act (立法委員行為法) to require legislators who had attended closed-door meetings on national security matters to disclose their travel itineraries when visiting China, Hong Kong or Macau.

Police officers guard an entrance to the Legislative Yuan in Taipei in an undated photograph.

Photo: Lin Liang-sheng, Taipei Times

Shen seeks to amend the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area (台灣地區與大陸地區人民關係條例) to require legislators and other elected officials to obtain permission from a supervisory government agency before traveling to China.

“Our amendments are not to ban pan-blue camp legislators from visiting China. The important issue is that when they travel and hold talks with Chinese Communist Party officials, they should report back on those meetings,” Shen said.

“It should be their responsibility to report who they spoke with, their roles in China ... what was discussed. They should be required to inform the government” about the visits, he said.

The proposals were introduced last week, as the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers traveled to China.

Two ways to update the rules are to amend the law governing cross-strait relations or the National Intelligence Service Act (國家情報工作法), Shen said.

“Legislators have a duty to monitor the government. Therefore, they must alert the public to how dangerous it is when legislators visit China,” Lai said.

“We know that China is focused on stealing our national secrets, to obtain information on highly classified materials, but legislators must remain loyal to this country and keep these national secrets from leaking out,” he said.

“If we do not amend the laws to restrict this kind of travel, to require legislators exercise self-discipline, then China can gain easy access to military and national secrets through the legislature, which is the simplest and most direct channel for China,” he added.

“It is our sincere hope that the ruling party and opposition parties take up this stance to defend Taiwan’s military and national secrets, no matter which party is in charge of the executive branch,” Lai said.

Most Popular

Weather front, quakes hit taiwan, aftershocks could last for a year: cwa, us says 41 military personnel in nation, two corvettes to be commissioned by navy: source, mac slams partial lifting of china ban.

You might also like

Protesters disrupt Chinese envoy’s speech

A group of Taiwanese-American and Tibetan-American students at Harvard University on Saturday disrupted Chinese Ambassador to the US Xie Feng’s (謝鋒) speech at the school, accusing him of being responsible for numerous human rights violations. Four students — two Taiwanese Americans and two from Tibet — held up banners inside a conference hall where Xie was delivering a speech at the opening ceremony of the Harvard Kennedy School China Conference 2024. In a video clip provided by the Coalition of Students Resisting the CCP (Chinese Communist Party), Taiwanese-American Cosette Wu (吳亭樺) and Tibetan-American Tsering Yangchen are seen holding banners that together read:

Many over-40s have one of ‘three highs’

UNAWARE: Many people sit for long hours every day and eat unhealthy foods, putting them at greater risk of developing one of the ‘three highs,’ an expert said More than 30 percent of adults aged 40 or older who underwent a government-funded health exam were unaware they had at least one of the “three highs” — high blood pressure, high blood lipids or high blood sugar, the Health Promotion Administration (HPA) said yesterday. Among adults aged 40 or older who said they did not have any of the “three highs” before taking the health exam, more than 30 percent were found to have at least one of them, Adult Preventive Health Examination Service data from 2022 showed. People with long-term medical conditions such as hypertension or diabetes usually do not

By Lee I-chia

Cabinet approves two bills on regenerative medicine

MEDICAL: The bills would also upgrade the status of the Ethical Guidelines Governing the Research of Human Embryos and Embryonic Stem Cell Research to law The Executive Yuan yesterday approved two bills to govern regenerative medicine that aim to boost development of the field. Taiwan would reach an important milestone in regenerative medicine development with passage of the regenerative medicine act and the regenerative medicine preparations ordinance, which would allow studies to proceed and treatments to be developed, Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Victor Wang (王必勝) told reporters at a news conference after a Cabinet meeting. Regenerative treatments have been used for several conditions, including cancer — by regenerating blood cells — and restoring joint function in soft tissue, Wang said. The draft legislation requires regenerative treatments

By Shelley Shan

Hospital nurses accused of taking photos of patients

POLICE INVESTIGATING: A man said he quit his job as a nurse at Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital as he had been ‘disgusted’ by the behavior of his colleagues A man yesterday morning wrote online that he had witnessed nurses taking photographs and touching anesthetized patients inappropriately in Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital’s operating theaters. The man surnamed Huang (黃) wrote on the Professional Technology Temple bulletin board that during his six-month stint as a nurse at the hospital, he had seen nurses taking pictures of patients, including of their private parts, after they were anesthetized. Some nurses had also touched patients inappropriately and children were among those photographed, he said. Huang said this “disgusted” him “so much” that “he felt the need to reveal these unethical acts in the operating theater

• Sustainability
• Latest News
• News Reports
• Documentaries & Shows
• TV Schedule
• CNA938 Live
• Radio Schedule
• Singapore Parliament
• Mental Health
• Interactives
• Entertainment
• Style & Beauty
• Experiences
• Remarkable Living
• Send us a news tip
• Events & Partnerships
• Business Blueprint
• Health Matters
• The Asian Traveller

Trending Topics

Follow our news, recent searches, taiwan hit by dozens of strong aftershocks from deadly quake, advertisement.

This picture released by Taiwan’s Central News Agency on Apr 22, 2024, shows fallen rocks on Suhua highway after an earthquake in Hualien. (Photo: AFP/Taiwan’s Central News Agency)

TAIPEI: Taiwan's eastern county of Hualien was shaken by dozens of earthquakes overnight and into Tuesday (Apr 23) that left buildings swaying and some tilting, with the government saying they were aftershocks from a huge deadly quake that hit the island more than two weeks ago.

The strongest, which the US Geological Survey measured at magnitude 6.1, hit around 2.30am local time, followed minutes later by a 6.0 tremor.

Authorities said there were no casualties reported so far, but the non-stop shaking meant a restless night even for those in the capital Taipei about 150km north, where walls and glass panels rattled in swaying homes.

"I was too scared to move and stayed in bed," said office worker Kevin Lin, 53, in Taipei, who told AFP he was jolted awake by the intense quakes.

Around 8am, a 5.8-magnitude tremor shook the capital as commuters made their way to work.

The tremors started Monday around 5pm and by about 10.30am the next day, the Central Weather Administration said it had recorded more than 200 quakes.

All had originated from Hualien.

The mountainous county was the epicentre of a magnitude-7.4 quake that hit Apr 3 , which Taiwan said was the "strongest in 25 years", triggering landslides that blocked roads and severely damaged buildings around the main Hualien city.

At least 17 people were killed, with the latest body found in a quarry on Apr 13.

Singaporean couple  Sim Hwee Kok and Neo Siew Choo are the only people still unaccounted for. They are believed to have gone missing along the Shakadang Trail.

A hotel building in Hualien that was previously damaged started tilting at an angle on Tuesday after the quakes, according to footage obtained by AFP.

"Please come out for your safety. Let's evacuate first OK? Anyone still inside? Please come down," shouted a firefighter to the residents of nearby buildings.

Hsu-ho Lin told local news channel Formosa TV that he had immediately run over to the hotel building because his grandma lives there and she "kept refusing to leave".

"My grandmother insisted on staying and my grandfather could not persuade her," Lin said, adding that they were now evacuating from the building.

The first floor of a nearby residential building was flattened by Tuesday's quakes, its tilting frame precariously propped up by metal beams.

Tenants had already evacuated from there after the Apr 3 quake, and the building was awaiting demolition.

Taiwan is still feeling aftershocks after last week's deadly earthquake, with one rocking Taipei today, causing buildings to shake. Rescue efforts are continuing in disaster-hit Hualien county, six days since the quake struck. Six people remain missing, among them a mother and her two young children, as well as a Singaporean couple. Three family members of the missing couple have arrived in Hualien. Heavy machinery have been deployed to clear roads in order to expedite the search. Victoria Jen reports. 

"SWARM OF SEISMICITY"

Taiwan sees frequent earthquakes due to its location at the junction of two tectonic plates, and the Apr 3 quake was followed by more than 1,100 aftershocks - causing rockfalls and tremors around Hualien.

A Taipei government seismologist said the latest "swarm" of tremors originated to the south of the main April quake, unlike the earlier ones which had been mainly to the north.

Earthquake scientist Judith Hubbard said the aftershocks coming after the Apr 3 earthquake - which decayed over two weeks - was a way for the ground to "slowly adjust back to normal" after a tectonic shift.

But Monday and Tuesday's quakes showed "a new pattern of seismic activity emerging, this swarm of seismicity".

"It's not decaying back down in the way we expect so it means something else is happening down there," Hubbard told AFP.

"It suggests there might be fluids - like hot water - on the faults that might be moving ... If it becomes very pressurised, it can push the fault apart and make it easier for the fault to slip."

It remains unclear if this could trigger a large earthquake again, but "this swarm is a certainly good opportunity for people in the region to revisit their recently tested earthquake preparations", Hubbard wrote in her "Earthquake Insights" newsletter.

The Apr 3 tremor was the most serious in Taiwan since 1999 when a magnitude-7.6 quake hit the island. The death toll then was far higher, with 2,400 people killed in the deadliest natural disaster in the island's history.

Stricter building regulations - including enhanced seismic requirements in its building codes - and widespread public disaster awareness had staved off a more serious catastrophe in the Apr 3 quake.

Taiwan's search dogs win hearts in search for quake victims

Taiwan earthquake: Missing Singapore couple only ones still unaccounted for

The world's largest contract chipmaker, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC), whose factories are on the island's western coast, said some staff at a small number of factories were evacuated, but facility and safety systems were functioning normally and all personnel were safe.

"Currently, we do not expect any impact on operations," it said in an email.

Investors brushed off concerns about the quake, with TSMC's Taipei-listed shares up 1.75 per cent on Tuesday morning.

Related Topics

Also worth reading, this browser is no longer supported.

We know it's a hassle to switch browsers but we want your experience with CNA to be fast, secure and the best it can possibly be.

To continue, upgrade to a supported browser or, for the finest experience, download the mobile app.

Upgraded but still having issues? Contact us