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National Day 2026

News

Taiwan highlights shared security challenges at National Day event in France

At this year’s National Day reception hosted by the Bureau de Représentation de Taipei en France on Wednesday, Taiwanese Representative to France Hao Pei-chih (郝培芝) noted that Europe is currently facing gray-zone harassment from Russia and said Taiwan is willing to share its experience in countering similar tactics from China. Taiwan–France relations have made significant strides in recent years, with the annual National Day reception in Paris attracting large numbers of distinguished guests, including French officials, artists, and cultural figures. Chair and Vice Chair of the Taiwan–France Friendship Group in the French National Assembly Marie-Noëlle Battistel and Rachid Temal were also in attendance. Speaking at this year’s event, Hao highlighted that 11 European countries have recently been subjected to complex threats such as Russian drone intrusions, submarine cable sabotage, and election interference through disinformation campaigns. Hao said that while this is a new experience for Europe, gray-zone harassment has become a near-daily occurrence for Taiwan. She also emphasized Taiwan’s leading advantages in high-tech industries, particularly in semiconductors and chip manufacturing, and its willingness to work with France and the rest of Europe to build a non-red supply chain. Battistel and Temal also spoke at the event, reflecting on their recent visit to Taiwan and underscoring the importance of continued bilateral cooperation. Both emphasized the strong and expanding ties between the two nations — spanning culture, trade, and parliamentary diplomacy — and reaffirmed France's firm support for Taiwan amid global uncertainties.

TECOs in Malaysia and the United States host Double Ten Day celebrations

As Double Ten Day approaches, celebrations have been taking place in other countries, including Malaysia and the United States. Following South Korea’s National Day reception at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Busan last Friday, the TECO in Malaysia held a similar event on Tuesday evening at the JW Marriott Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. Ambassador Phoebe Yeh (葉非比) spoke on Taiwan and Malaysia’s cooperation in areas such as trade, education, culture, and tourism, highlighting how bilateral trade is on track to reach a record high of US$39.1 billion. She emphasized Taiwan’s key strategic position in the Asia-Pacific region, saying more and more countries are publicly expressing support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international affairs and for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Meanwhile, the TECO in New York also held a reception on Tuesday at the Mandarin Oriental in Manhattan’s Upper East Side to celebrate National Day. There, Director James Lee (李志強) expressed his gratitude for the support of allies and like-minded countries during the UN General Assembly, where several representatives recently spoke out in support of Taiwan and rejected UN Resolution 2758. Lee stressed that a free and democratic Taiwan is in everyone’s best interest.

Taiwan to celebrate National Day with rising international support

Taiwan’s efforts to strengthen partnerships across Europe and Southeast Asia are showing tangible results ahead of Double Ten National Day, underscoring growing international support for the island’s democracy and economic resilience. After Taiwan and the Philippines signed MOUs on supply chain connectivity last week at an industrial collaboration summit in Manila, this week the Philippine Chinese community held an early National Day gala. Taiwan’s representative to Manila, Wallace Chow (周民淦), highlighted milestones such as the Philippines’ visa-free entry for Taiwanese travelers and expanded trade and investment missions. He also announced a US$200,000 donation to support relief efforts following last week’s Cebu earthquake, reaffirming Taiwan’s solidarity with its regional partners. In Bangkok, Taiwan’s representative office hosted a National Day reception attended by Thai government and business leaders. Representative Peter Lan (藍夏禮) described Taiwan as an emerging “AI island,” citing its robust GDP growth and role as Thailand’s fourth-largest foreign investor. The event featured the Thai-wan Chamber Orchestra and displays celebrating Taiwan’s semiconductor achievements, reflecting shared ambitions for innovation and resilience. Meanwhile in Taipei, an 11-member Swedish parliamentary delegation—the largest in recent years—arrived for a weeklong visit led by lawmaker Alexandra Anstrell. The group is meeting senior officials, including Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴), and will attend Friday’s National Day celebrations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also voiced confidence in ties with the Czech Republic following recent elections, noting that cooperation in trade, education, and technology remains both solid and strategic. As Taiwan marks its 114th National Day, the wave of new partnerships, goodwill visits, and global gestures of friendship signal continued growth of like-minded allies.

Phoenix holds fourth annual Taiwan National Day

The United States city of Phoenix held its Taiwan Double Ten National Day celebrations for the fourth consecutive year, this year taking place at Arizona State University on Saturday evening local time. Mayor Kate Gallego and Vice Mayor Ann O'Brien attended the event, which was attended by more than 7,000 people, including Phoenix residents, Taiwanese compatriots, TSMC employees, and their families. TSMC sponsored 150 drone displays accompanied by Taiwanese pop songs by Jay Chou (周杰倫) and Fei Yu-ching (費玉清), lighting up the night sky with Taiwan’s flag, map, Taipei 101, a Formosan black bear, sky lanterns, and more. The event also featured a variety of Taiwanese food, cultural activities, and community stalls, creating a scene reminiscent of a Taiwanese night market brought to Arizona. In her speech, Gallego emphasized the friendship between Phoenix and Taiwan, expressing her hope that through the Double Ten celebrations friends from Taiwan will feel like they've returned home, and those who are just beginning to learn about Taiwan will be as deeply moved as she was. She stated that the connection with Taiwan drives the economy, from bubble tea and xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) to healthcare and the chip industry. Gallego also noted that this year, China Airlines and Starlux will announce the launch of direct flights between Phoenix and Taipei, marking Phoenix's first direct flights to Asia. Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles Political Division Director Alan Fang (方崇宇) said in his speech that Taiwan's story is one of resilience and innovation. He underscored that the nation continues to demonstrate prosperity and excellence despite global supply chain disruptions and increasing geopolitical pressures. Phoenix and Taipei have a 46-year sister city relationship, boasting 30,000 Taiwanese residents, over 40 Taiwanese companies, and over 500 international students.

Vancouver hosts Taiwan National Day event

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Vancouver hosted a National Day reception on Friday, Oct. 4, drawing nearly 400 guests, including Canadian officials, Indigenous leaders, and business representatives, to celebrate Taiwan’s founding. The Nibun Chorus, recent champions of the Tokyo International Choir Competition composed of Bunun youth, opened the ceremony with Taiwan’s national anthem, followed by traditional Bunun songs and a rendition of “We Are the World.” Chief Frank Antoine, World Indigenous Tourism Alliance board chair, described the performance as being “filled with the magic of nature.” He said it reminded him of Taiwan’s natural beauty and announced plans to lead a 30-member delegation to Taiwan later this year for the World Indigenous Games. TECO Vancouver Director-General Liu Lih-hsin (劉立欣) thanked the choir for showcasing Taiwan’s cultural richness and said Indigenous cooperation has become an important element of Canada’s 2022 Indo-Pacific Strategy, which emphasizes multifaceted engagement with Taiwan. She also highlighted Taiwan’s leadership in technology, trade, healthcare, and social welfare, while criticizing Beijing’s continued misuse of U.N. Resolution 2758 to exclude Taiwan from international organizations. Bipartisan Canadian lawmakers also offered support for Taiwan. Liberal Party member Wade Chang (張瑋麟) commended Taiwanese Canadians for their contributions to Canada’s multicultural and economic development, saying their story is also the story of Canada. Conservative MPs Tako van Popta, Marc Dalton, and Chak Au praised Taiwan’s democracy and its role in maintaining Indo-Pacific stability. MP Michael Cooper, in a recorded message, urged Canada to back Taiwan’s participation in global bodies such as the International Civil Aviation Organization. Several British Columbia legislators, mayors, and city councillors also attended, expressing hopes for deeper Taiwan-Canada exchanges. Lyren Chiu (邱麗蓮), the GTMA Global Health Association president, said both nations are advancing forward-looking economic strategies. She noted Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new infrastructure policy and President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) promotion of Taiwan’s five trusted industries. She said the two countries can jointly build a democratic, non-red supply chain.

Taiwan and South Korea look toward cooperation in AI and semiconductors

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Busan held a National Day reception this Thursday, inviting hundreds of South Korean politicians, overseas Taiwanese, and other guests. At the event, TECO Director Kuo Cheng-kai (郭承凱) spoke about the fruitful results Taiwan has achieved in diplomacy and trade during the past year. He also emphasized Taiwan’s “Ten Major AI Infrastructure Projects” initiative, which will see NT$100 billion (US$3.3 billion) invested in the cultivation of AI talent, and how the initiative demonstrates the country’s commitment to growing the AI industry. Bilateral trade between Taiwan and South Korea reached a record high of US$64.5 billion in 2024, Kuo said, making South Korea Taiwan’s fourth-largest trading partner and source of imports. Total trade from January to August 2025 saw a 45% increase compared to the same period last year. Kuo emphasized that Taiwan and South Korea already had a fruitful relationship in the global semiconductor supply chain, to which the rise of AI has added further momentum. In addition, the countries have become each other’s third-largest source of tourists, with 2.43 million mutual visits between them.