By Nikki Dong and Alex Myslinski

Taiwan Celebrates National Day

President Lai Ching-te’s National Day speech on October 10 highlighted Taiwan’s commitment to democracy, resilience, and regional peace. He reiterated Taiwan’s stance on sovereignty, advocating for cooperation with international allies to ensure security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

At the ceremony, President Lai , the first lady, and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim received over 140 guests from across the world. Government officials from Tuvalu, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, and the Republic of Palau congratulated the nation.

In addition to delegations representing Taiwan’s official diplomatic allies, other attendees included  members of the U.S. Congress and representatives from the American Institute in Taiwan, Japanese Diet, the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office, the Scottish Parliament, and the trade offices of Canada, the EU, France, Germany, Singapore, and the UK.

Taiwan Pride Records Largest Turnover Yet

More than 180,000 people marched for LGBTQ+ rights on October 26 at East Asia’s largest pride event, held in Taipei. The 22nd annual parade was joined by Vice President Hsiao and the reigning queen of the popular U.S. TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race, Taiwanese drag queen Nymphia Wind. Since the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2019, Taiwan has continued to lead in LGBTQ+ rights in a region where such freedoms are often restricted or suppressed.

Hsiao and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) delegation marched behind a banner that read “Be Yourself.” The previous year, then-Vice President Lai Ching-te marched in the parade during his run for presidency, at the time making him the most senior government official to ever do so. Hsiao could be seen dancing and waving to the crowd while proclaiming, “I’m proud of you, and I’m proud of Taiwan.”

Judicial Yuan Secretary General Resigns

Wu San-long resigned on October 1 from his role as secretary-general of Taiwan’s Judicial Yuan. A former judge, he had held the role since June 2023 under former president Tsai Ing-wen’s administration. His resignation came amid sharp questioning of his ability to respond effectively to legislators’ inquiries regarding judicial reform and budgeting.

Deputy Secretary-General Huang Lin-lun will serve as acting secretary-general until a new appointee is chosen.

Taiwan Accesses 24-Hour Satellite

According to a Chunghwa Telecom announcement on October 13, Taiwan will soon gain round-the-clock satellite internet access through a collaboration with UK Eutelsat OneWeb. The partnership aims to reinforce Taiwan’s communication infrastructure, ensuring continuous internet connectivity for critical government and civilian functions, especially in emergencies. The satellite service provides a strategic safeguard for maintaining reliable communication channels.

Legislative Power Ruled Unconstitutional

Taiwan’s Constitutional Court on October 25 ruled that proposed expansions of the Legislative Yuan’s investigative powers are unconstitutional, immediately invalidating provisions that mandated penalties for non-compliance and obligated the president to report to Parliament at the request of lawmakers. These mandates were found to infringe on judicial independence, though certain measures, such as holding hearings, were upheld. Commentators said the ruling underscored the need for legislative oversight to be bound by constitutional limits.

The decision came as seven Constitutional Court justices, including Judicial Yuan President Hsu Tsung-li, prepare to retire on October 31. With pending legislative reviews on new appointments, there is concern about potential delays in court operations, as it may lack the two-thirds quorum necessary for future decisions.

U.S., Taiwan To Begin Double Taxation Talks

Taiwan and the United States are set to initiate talks on a comprehensive agreement to eliminate double taxation, a long-anticipated step toward boosting bilateral investment. Announced by the U.S. Treasury Department on October 29, the step is the result of sustained Congressional support, including the proposed U.S.-Taiwan Tax Agreement Authorization Act that was passed by the House of Representatives but not yet by the Senate.

The Biden administration has committed to collaborating with Congress throughout the negotiation process, aiming to finalize and implement the agreement through amendments to the Internal Revenue Code.

The tax agreement, based on the U.S. Model Income Tax Convention, will cover critical areas such as reducing withholding taxes on dividends, interest, and royalties, and addressing cross-border worker taxation. It will also include measures to prevent tax avoidance and tax-forum shopping, plus mechanisms for dispute resolution and information exchange between the tax authorities on the two sides. Talks will be conducted through the American Institute in Taiwan and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office. Taiwan currently has tax treaties with 35 nations. Reaching agreement on double taxation avoidance has been a longstanding advocacy issue of the American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan. In its 2024 Taiwan White Paper, AmCham requested speedy action on the matter, “considering the benefits that both economies would derive from this legislation, as well as the symbolic value its passage would represent for U.S.-Taiwan relations.”

U.S. Approves New Arms Sales

The Biden administration authorized a US$2 billion arms sale to Taiwan in October, including US$1.16 billion in missile systems and US$828 million in radar systems, primarily focused on enhancing Taiwan’s missile capabilities against aerial or missile assaults. The principal contractor will be RTX (formerly Raytheon Technologies), according to the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

The three medium-range National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) introduced in the package were the first air defense technologies to enter Taiwan that had been battle-tested in Ukraine. An anonymous U.S. government source reported that NASAMS is only being operated in two other places in the region – Australia and Indonesia.

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) welcomed the move, affirming it as critical to Taiwan’s self-defense strategy, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs thanked the United States for honoring its security commitments under the Taiwan Relations Act and the “six assurances.”

U.S., Canadian Ships Transit Taiwan Strait

The USS Higgins destroyer and Canada’s HMCS Vancouver frigate navigated the Taiwan Strait on October 22, signaling allied resolve for freedom of navigation. The U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet characterized the transit as “routine,” taking place “in accordance with international law” to promote stability in international waters. The passage followed an unprecedented, large-scale Chinese military drill near Taiwan just days before.

Taiwan’s MND monitored the transit, while China condemned it as provocative and destabilizing. The United States has conducted similar transits in response to rising Chinese military actions, affirming that these maneuvers support “high-seas freedom of navigation and overflight.”

South Africa Defends Taiwan Office Move

The South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) on October 18 issued a statement clarifying that its request for Taiwan to relocate its office from the administrative capital of Pretoria to Johannesburg was consistent with standard diplomatic practice, given the non-political nature of their relationship.

South Africa first requested the move in April, giving Taiwan a six-month deadline set to expire at the end of October. DIRCO emphasized that relocating the office reflects the UN Resolution 2758, which led to Taiwan losing its UN seat in 1971 in favor of the People’s Republic of China.

Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung stated that Taiwan would keep the office in Pretoria, arguing that the relocation order violates a 1997 agreement allowing Taiwan’s liaison office to remain in the administrative capital.

U.S. lawmakers, including House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Tom Cotton (R-AR), condemned South Africa’s actions as PRC interference and urged Pretoria to reverse its decision.

Spanish Fugitive Deported From Taiwan

Taiwan on October 19 deported a Spanish national who was wanted by Interpol for fraud. Taiwan is not a member of Interpol, but Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency (NIA) collaborated with international authorities after Spain revoked the man’s passport, arresting him for traveling with invalid documents upon arrival at Taoyuan International Airport earlier in October.

Following legal procedures, the individual was first deported to Singapore but was denied entry there due to his criminal status. He then returned to Taoyuan International Airport and was deported to Frankfurt on October 20.

The operation highlighted Taiwan’s commitment to international cooperation on law enforcement, even in the absence of formal diplomatic ties and exclusion from international organizations.

China Military Drills Reach Record High

President Lai Ching-te on October 14 convened a high-level national security meeting to address recent Chinese military provocations. That morning, China had escalated military activity around Taiwan, deploying a record 153 aircraft and 44 naval vessels in proximity to Taiwan’s air defense zones over two days. The MND reported that these drills included live-fire exercises and simulated missile launches, with a focus on “joint blockade and control” scenarios.

In response, Taiwan activated its air defenses and closely monitored the situation, citing the drills as part of an ongoing pattern of Chinese military coercion aimed at undermining Taiwan’s security. The United States later called the maneuvers a “provocative escalation,” while Beijing framed these actions as a “stern warning to the separatist [movements]” in Taiwan.