MOFA defends ads in German paper published by scandal-hit lawmaker
Staff writer, with CNA
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Sunday defended placing ads in German newspaper the Sudthuringen Kurier, after the ministry was accused of placing them out of political considerations.
The ministry called allegations by an opposition lawmaker regrettable, saying that the ads were part of an effort by its overseas office to promote Taiwan, not to pander to local politicians.
The issue came to light after lawmaker Mark Hauptmann, a member of German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), on Thursday last week quit his seat in the German Bundestag amid pressure over lobbying allegations.
Taiwan thanks Biden for words to Xi
NEW TOWN SHERIFF? The White House said that US President Joe Biden told the Chinese president about his concerns over Beijing’s assertiveness toward Taiwan
By Lu Yi-hsuan and Jake Chung / Staff reporter, with staff writer
Taiwan expressed its thanks to US President Joe Biden after he raised concerns with Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) about China’s increased pressuring of Taiwan, Presidential Office spokesperson Xavier Chang (張惇涵) said yesterday.
Biden and Xi held their first phone call as national leaders yesterday, during which Biden brought up concerns related to Taiwan, Hong Kong and human rights.